Kentucky Ambition are a new MHC program this season and the addition of Keathley puts them under the spotlight of the circuit this season. One of the top scorers in Kentucky, Keathley does an excellent job playing with pace and using his strong frame to create contact first with his defender and playing off of his defenders movements. A skilled driver and finisher with either hand, you cannot shade Keathley to one side or the other as a driver because he will score through contact with either hand and plays on balance. The key for Keathley will be to score these buckets at the rim against serious rim protectors and making shots off the dribble that he creates in isolation or pick and roll situations. Expect Division I programs to be aggressive in recruiting Keathley this summer from the MHC.

Only a handful of players in KY basketball history will have finished their high school career with a resume as polished as Braxton’s. The junior guard averaged 33+ PPG and 9 RPG this past season to eclipse 3,000 points and 750 rebounds. Known for his prolific scoring abilities and for having a sky-high IQ that makes everyone look better, Keathley’s vocal leadership is one of the more underrated areas of his game. Having signed on to the MHC’s inaugural NIL class and recently being named the MaxPreps KY Player of the Year, Keathley is primed for a big season with Ambition. Expect him to be on a mission in his final year of travel ball.

One of the best pure scorers in the state’s recent history, Keathley has already scored over 3,000 points in his career and should get over 4,000 points before graduation. After posting shooting splits of 57/47/86 and scoring over 1,000 points in his Junior year, Braxton has solidified himself as the top bucket getter in Kentucky right now.

Braxton Keathley Braxton Keathley 6'5" | CG/PG Martin County | 2027 State KY is one of the top players in the state, with shooting standing out as a major strength of his game. He ranks top 20 statewide at 3.2 three-pointers per game, shooting an impressive 45.5% from deep while drilling 61 triples this season. Even with heavy defensive attention, Keathley consistently finds ways to get his shot off, using sharp footwork and quick movement both with and without the ball to create clean looks from beyond the arc.

Simply too big and strong for the opposition on Thursday, a majority of Keathley’s buckets against Breathitt County were either right-handed layups or breakaway dunks. Martin County does a nice job hitting Keathley in transition where he’s usually faster and stronger than the defenders chasing him from behind. Add in a open set 3-pointer on the wing in the final minute of the first half to extend Martin County’s lead to double-digits at the break and Keathley had a major impact for the Cardinals. In the third quarter, Keathley continued to pour it on with a deep pull-up to extend the lead to 63-40. Martin County continued to pour it on, leading by 20+ the rest of the way.

Braxton is the best pure scorer in the state, in my opinion. Averaging 32 points per game with 55/49/84 shooting splits through 11 games, Keathley has shown the ability to score and facilitate against anyone. Possessing great size at either guard spot, Keathley and Gay are interchangeable at the top spot at this point. Both have high major potential, in my opinion.

The state’s leading scorer last season, Keathley made a move to Martin County and should be surrounded with a lot more talent than he had at Prestonsburg the last few seasons. Capable of scoring from all over the court, Braxton should get to show off his playmaking skills and be more of a facilitator and not have to score 30+ for his team to be competitive.

Braxton Keathley Braxton Keathley 6'5" | CG/PG Martin County | 2027 State KY led the state in scoring last season, averaging an impressive 34.3 points per game and finishing with the second-most total points in Kentucky at 960. A true three-level scorer, Keathley is just as dangerous attacking the rim as he is pulling up from mid-range or beyond the arc. He’s efficient at the free-throw line and has a knack for creating his own shot, reading defenses, and finding scoring opportunities. When he gets into a rhythm, he can take over a game in a hurry, capable of putting up big numbers in short stretches.

Braxton Keathley Braxton Keathley 6'5" | CG/PG Martin County | 2027 State KY ranks among the elite players in Kentucky and continues to turn heads statewide. The former Prestonsburg standout led the Bluegrass in scoring last season, averaging an impressive 34.3 points per game before transferring. He’s already taken visits to Louisville, LSU, and Florida State, while holding seven Division I offers and receiving interest from several other programs. A three-level scorer, solid rebounder and one of the most reliable free-throw shooters in Kentucky, he has the ability to beat defenders off the dribble or rise up for a jumper and is one of the most polished offensive talents the state has to offer.

Kentucky’s leading scorer last season, Keathley is a true three level scorer and one of the best free throw shooters in the state. Braxton should thrive with more talent around him after transferring to Martin County last month. The big shooter is up to 7 D1 offers and is starting to visit multiple high major schools in the coming months.