Offers: UW-Milwaukee, Miami (OH), & Grambling State

Now listed as 6’6″, Amari McCottry Amari McCottry 6'5" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State #304 Nation WI is a big guard that excels with the ball in his hands. He’s a big reason why St. Thomas More (13-1) is ranked #1 in Division III and likely the favorite to win the state title. McCottry leads the team in scoring with 23 points per game to go along with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals per game. He exploded for 37 points and 14 rebounds against #4 Nicolet. He’s a do it all kind of playmaker when he steps on the floor. McCottry is athletic, quick, versatile, and can finish above the rim. He’s a beast in transition, excels attacking the rim off the dribble, has great balance when finishing, and is a high feel offensive player. With some hard work, he may be able to develop into a point-of-attack defender at the next level. The tools are certainly there. The outside shot is still developing, but McCottry is a guy that can make an impact day one at mid-major schools.

Amari is so dangerous because of all the things he can do on the ball at 6’6. You just don’t see many players his size capable of changing direction with the ball like he can. Amari has a quick crossover to beat his man to the rim, and once there he can score with touch off the glass or with an explosive dunk. Really like his effort to pressure the ball and force turnovers on the defensive end, and with that ball pressure he was able to pick up some open transition buckets in the process. Finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win over Milwaukee Hamilton.

In a battle of preseason D3 favorites, Amari helped St. Thomas More come away with the win. Most teams aren’t going to have a player with the size and agility to defend him off the dribble, and that was the case on Saturday. He may not have had his usual finishing touch, but was excelling at drawing contact and picking up easy points at the free throw line. I thought he showcased some improved passing vision as well, as he recognized a help-side defender stepping up and was then able to drop some dimes to Sekou Konneh Sekou Konneh at the rim. Dangerous blend of length, skill, and athleticism that allows him to dominate at the high school level.

Probably one of the most skilled and versatile players for his class in the state. I don’t think there is another player that can finish better than Amari or for that matter do more things on the court than him. He can play one through five on both ends of the court at this level and on the next level probably 1-4.  At least on the offensive end every scout can see his talent.

The Knock on His PlayrnAmari McCottry is a superior talent in his class, in the state, and can play at the next level. Since he has all of this talent, things might come easy for him, or at least it looks like it does. What we cannot tell is if he loves the game. When he plays hard every time up and down the court there is not a more talented player. If he does the little things, the basic things, and not anytime off while on the court, he’ll play at the high major level. On talent alone he might get a vote or two.