Austin Galuppo, 2019: The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter has been the vital and ever reliable “X-factor,” as cliché as it may sound. Galuppo’s long range game has been the most consistent source across the roster, pioneering the Knights out of ruts and into offensive surges since the very beginning of the season.
Entering the 2018-19 campaign without the high profile and lofty expectations as other more highly acclaimed shooters, Galuppo has been one of the purest game-altering 3-point assailants on the post graduate level, throughout the country. He’s solidified this status as a sniper during illustrious performances against reputable prep powers such as Northfield Mount Hermon (MA), Our Savior Lutheran, and most recently Perkiomen Prep (Pa.)
Against NMA, during a 20-point victory, Galuppo toted the potent hand during the second half. He hit transition 3-pointers and fired it in from NBA range, scoring 19 second half points after an 0-3 first half dud. Against OSL, a 90-72 trouncing in the PSA Cardinal Showcase, Galuppo exemplified his ability to rattle off points in quick-hit fashion. He wound up with a game-best 31 points off the bench, taking home MVP honors.
Hailing from California, Galuppo made a commitment to attend Weber State recently.
He will join current Knight point guard Judah Jordan, who made a verbal pledge to the program in October. A 2019 scholarship opened up following a transfer and Galuppo’s post graduate season play garnered the attention of Weber State assistant David Marek, who played under Scotland head coach Chris Chaney during the memorable 40-0 Laurinburg Prep team of 2005. The on and off-court relationship between Galuppo and Jordan also factored into his final decision.
DeQuarius Nicholas, 2019: The under the radar, lesser known 6-foot-1 guard continues to stake his claim as a stabilizing force in this post-graduate season. Nicholas had a pair of loud 3-pointers as Scotland emerged from an early first half funk, one in which the lid on the basket finally disappeared as they worked off layers of rust from a near month sabbatical.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a guard who rebounds the ball as well as this two-way threat, who has come a long way in a short period of time. After having little to no interest entering the 2018-19 campaign, he’s garnered looks from New Mexico and West Virginia. Nicholas’ true coming out party came during the National Prep Showcase, when he scored a game-best 23 points (including the go-ahead shot in traffic) in the aforementioned 79-59 victory over Northfield Mount Hermon. The rate at which he plays and his toughness are critical components which do not show up on any connotation in the stat sheet.
Karim Coulibaly, 2019: Pitt, St. Joseph’s, Tulane, and Georgetown are the four schools investing the most effort in the recruitment of the versatile 6-foot-9 forward from Mali, Africa. Coulibaly is an enticing piece at the next level because of how well he guards multiple positions and nearly every position on the floor. After being saddled with foul trouble for much of the first half during the aforementioned 87-77 win over Perkiomen Prep, Coulibaly flashed the type of high-major game that’s made him a priority stemming back to the start of his junior season. He scored eight points during a crucial sequence in the second half, including an in-traffic dunk that lifted Scotland’s lead to 51-42.
Clarence Nadolny, 2019: Robert Morris is the latest program to offer and express intrigue in the high-energy 6-foot-3 guard, who has the type of game that aligns with the Division-I level given his athleticism and ability to knife his way to the rim. Georgetown, Tulane, St. Bonaventure, Dayton, George Mason, Hofstra and several others have plunked down offers for the high-rising guard. Perhaps the most explosive element of Nadolny’s game is his ability to finish above the rim, albeit he’s improved as a creator and shot-maker. He’s opened up his jumper significantly and continues to establish a beyond the arc game. Nadolny’s upside is best attributed to his soaring athleticsm and ability to break into the teeth of the defense gracefully and score it.
Akrum Ahemed, 2019: A skilled two-way guard who has registered his imprint as a shot-maker this season, the New Jersey native has the potential to be a significant steal as a late pickup. Ahemed has provided timely scoring for the national team, making good on the minutes he’s received alongside a star-encrusted lineup of higher profile recruits. Ahemed provided a necessary boost during the aforementioned Perkiomen Prep victory, snatching a board and going rim to rim for a go-ahead bucket in the first half. He’s learned to play within the confines of the system and not try too hard to impose his will, an aspect which many struggle with at this particular level. With his IQ and savvy, Ahemed has the potential to be a “safe bet” caliber recruit at the Northeast Conference level or beyond. A Division-II opportunity would give him the chance to truly flourish as a scorer and an effective presence on the glass at 6-foot-5.
Jordon Jones, 2019: Beyond his body transformation, Jones has been notable for his ability to show up during big games. He proved this quality again this past weekend, as he erupted for a season-best 20 points during the win against Perkiomen Prep. In the second half, Jones was the difference maker. He bullied his way to the rim and scored while also drawing fouls and converting at the free throw line. While Perkiomen was propelled by 33 points from one of the country’s top unsigned shooters in Chris Arcidiacano, they lacked the type of frontline capable of fronting Jones or keeping his production at bay. He took full advantage, putting together arguably his best performance of the season. At 6-foot-6 he’s an undersized bruiser, a guy who could offer immediate and sustainable contributions at a MEAC or NEC caliber program.
Blake Owens, 2019: Now is the time to take out stock in the 6-foot-9 forward out of Oklahoma. Owens is a cerebral true big who can sky for rebounds and turn in plays around the rim. He’s come a long way from being too attached to the guard spot earlier in his career, evolving as a key interior cog who can play both sides of the ball and provide steady workmanlike production.
Being thrown into meaningful minutes at this hard level of postgrad basketball has been an appropriate test to prepare him for the rigors of the Division-I level, where 7-foot monsters will be guarding the rim on a nightly basis.
Chris Maidoh, 2019
The late-rising 6-foot-9 forward has worked significantly to earn meaningful clock time, after playing sparingly during the National Prep Showcase. That’s the beauty of this around the clock, ever evolving post graduate schedule. You can be riding the pine one minute and thrust into starter’s minutes the next. Chris Chaney, he of the three national prep showcases, emphasized this at the beginning of the season. He cited Jordan Hill, who played at Arizona and later the NBA, as a guy who struggled to get quality minutes at the start of the season only to play a starring role while at Laurinburg Prep.
Maidoh has gradually gone from a guy capable of steering rim protectors away from the basket with his outside shooting to a key presence on the glass. He’s added muscle onto a once toothpick frame and showcased sneaky athleticism in the process.
