Clarence Nadolny—The Class of 2019 guard has ascended the upper major market following a breakout stretch run, becoming a revelation as a consistent shot-maker while simultaneously opening up a dependable beyond the arc game.
Playing at different speeds and also getting to the rim amid hard contact, Nadolny has quickly provided a calming effect for the top-ranked, 32-0 Knights. The native of Paris, France has also become a vaunted counter puncher. He now takes the initiative to answer an opponent’s big bucket with his refined scoring arsenal. The kid they call “Frenchy” was a sustainable force during the prep national championship, hitting go-ahead shots and game winners and carving his way to the rim with finesse and strength. He solidified himself as a high-pressure shot-maker against Putnam Science, after willing the Knights to a victory over Northfield Mount Hermon (MA) in the quarterfinals.
Nadolny’s increased role as a timely scorer has been visible stemming back to the Knights’ 92-86 win over Fork Union Military Academy last month. Nadolny submitted a 26-point effort in this memorable performance, underscored by a slew of 3-pointers and free throws which navigated a searing pressure cooker down the stretch.
Nadolny scored a team-best 22 points during the Knights’ win over Mount Zion Prep (MD), with his sheer grit as a hard attacking, physical guard with a college-ready body evident throughout. Nadolny plays with a high level of grit and a swagger, evident in his ability to snatch rebounds over 7-footers and go at rim protectors without a trace of trepidation.
The Paris, France product has narrowed his choices down to West Virginia, Iowa State, and Texas Tech.
He garnered offers from Ole Miss, Georgetown, Boston College, TCU, and a handful of others throughout the season.
Blake Owens–A 6-foot-9 forward/center with a workmanlike game, Owens has improved exponentially as an ambidextrous scorer.
He’s transitioned from a twig-like 185 to 210 pounds in a short period of time. Owens’ motor and knack for playing with a sustained layer of relentlessness ultimately makes him a scholarship-worthy prospect at this point.
He’s an active, high percentage scorer around the rim and possesses the type of rebounding skill set which could make him an appealing late pickup on the low to mid major market. Owens has improved at scoring hustle points and also going to his left and finishing.
Ben Curtin-The 6-foot-1 3-point shooter has solidified his status as a true marksman this season, popping off the bench to hit five+ 3-pointers in multiple games.
Curtin proved he can impact meaningful minutes with the No.1 nationally ranked Prep Red, hitting monumental 3-pointers during recent wins over IMG Academy (FL) and Mount Zion Prep (MD).
The Virginia native has the type of quick-strike knockdown ability that enables him to provide an instant spark, typically supplying momentum before the half approaches.
With his deft long range shooting, Curtain has the look of a specialist at the Division-II or Division-III level. He’s improved considerably as a ball handler and a heady guard who plays with his eyes perpetually up.
On many other teams throughout the country, those without the backcourt of Judah Jordan (Weber State), Austin Galuppo (Weber State), and the aforementioned Nadolny, Curtain would wind up with gaudy numbers to boast.
Several performances which saw him log significant minutes were emblematic of the impact his long range shooting can leave, most notably during an 18-point performance against Upper Room (N.Y.).
He’s a volume shooter and avoids those maddening swoons which tend to derail streaky shooters.
Akrum Ahemed–Few players in the country have made as much out of their post-graduate year as Ahemed, who has increased in minutes and production rate throughout the progression of Scotland’s unblemished season.
With his adroit touch from outside and a reliable set shot, Ahemed has been a constant spark off the bench. He recently scored a game-best 23 points during Scotland’s road win over CBKG in Delaware.
During wins over Beckley Prep and Fork Union during the FUMA Military Circuit, Ahemed displayed an ability to carom rebounds and turn in significant buckets.
The 6-foot-5 guard/wing scored 12 points during a critical 10-minute first half stretch against Fork Union, stabilizing the core as Scotland fell behind by double digits.
He hit a deep jumper, a corner 3-pointer, and turned in a traditional 3-point play to awaken and jolt life into an offense which had been sputtering at the time. Ahemed authored a wild 42-point, 18-rebound performance during a win over Olympus Prep (NJ).
Ahemed is right-handed but has consistently shown an adeptness at finishing with his left, especially in transition and above the rim. He’s a reliable open court finisher who has shown a crafty ability to attack the rim and score around defenders.
The New Jersey native’s role has increased in importance this season, as he’s served as a sturdy supplemental scorer who provides refined shot-making and scoring off the bench.
Having played two years at the prestigious Oak Hill Academy and now played a post-graduate year under Chris Chaney at Scotland, Ahemed certainly has a battle-tested quality to him.
He would be an ideal late “get” at the mid major level, a tactical scoring and rebounding presence who plays with a sense of know-how and a mental moxie.
Ahemed’s crafty and cerebral scoring was notable during the aforementioned semifinal win against Putnam Science (CT), as he surged into the lane via Euro steps and got loose for nifty bank shots. Ahemed currently has an offer from Panola College in Texas and has received interest from Marshall, SEMO, Mount St. Mary’s, and others.
Dequarius Nicholas–At long last, one of the country’s best rebounding guards is beginning to heat up on the mid-major market. SEMO and Canisius have each presented the rugged two-way guard with offers. His performance against Putnam Science in the Prep National Semifinal was eye-opening, as he dropped 17 points on the strength of four treys in a massive semifinal win. Nicholas scored 23 points to go with six boards against a prominent Macduffie (MA) team back in November. He stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 10 points, eight boards, and seven assists during a 78-54 throttling of IMG Academy during the Massanutten tournament.
The 6-foot-1 Class of 2019 prospect has been as reliable a rebounder as anyone on the roster outside of Pittsburgh-commit Karim Coulibaly. With quickness and a shifty game, Nicholas has routinely registered his imprint as a supremely gifted rebounder at his size.
After fading into obscurity despite outperforming countless higher profile guards, Nicholas has earned scholarship offers from Southeast Missouri (SEMO) and Canisius. Iona has recently expressed interest, having witnessed his performance during the Prep National Championships at Connecticut College.
Nicholas has posted several double doubles this season, including a 15-point and 11 rebound performance during a win at West Nottingham. The source who propelled Scotland to a signature victory over Macduffie (Ma.) during the Prep National Showcase back in November, Nicholas thrived with a 23-point performance.
He also scored 20 points in the win over Fork Union Military Academy, manufacturing points in a variety of ways and showcasing a consistent jumper and outside shot. He possesses good elevation on his shot and employs a hard-nosed defensive mentality, with his maddening quick hands and aggressive chest-to-chest style. He sets a tone as a leader and a defensive catalyst.
Through Chaney’s time at the prep ranks, defensive reliability hasn’t just been enforced–it’s been emphasized with an iron fist. The seasoned, highly decorated coach makes it clear that even the most prolific of scorers won’t see the floor unless the defensive pressure is constant.
Nicholas is one of the most concrete examples of buying into this philosophy and carrying it out in relentless, full throttle fashion.
Jordon Jones–The 6-foot-6 forward is a bullish interior scorer, one who has thrived with his ability to seal off defenders and get free for open looks at point-blank and around the rim. He’s got a fluid 12-15 foot jumper, albeit he does the most damage within the confines of the post.
Jones has proven he can impose his will in important games, as best evidenced by a 21-point performance during a win over Perkiomen Prep. With Pittsburgh-bound 6-foot-9 forward Karim Coulibaly saddled with early foul trouble in that one, Jones quickly evolved into the focal point and played with increased awareness and physicality.
This performance best revealed his ability to finish through contact and get timely putback buckets.
He scored 12 points and pulled down 11 boards during a win against IMG Academy at the circuit at Massanutten Military Academy (Va.). During an 88-83 win against formidable national power Mount Zion (Md.), Jones had seven rebounds to go with five steals. Though a bit undersized at the four position, Jones has a cerebral quality to his game with his deft passing ability.
With his scoring and rebounding and ability to turn in monumental plays, Jones has the appearance of an NEC or MEAC caliber big man. If he were 6-foot-9 or 6-foot-10, it would be a no-brainer. He’s certainly proved he can play high level Division-I basketball this season, producing on elevated stages and against heavy hitter caliber programs. He recently picked up an offer from McNeese State and has interest from New Hampshire and others.
Chris Maidoh–The 6-foot-9 forward came in raw, possessing a wealth of potential. He’s capitalized on that potential in his post-graduate season, becoming an all-around scoring threat who can use his long arms (7-foot-3 wingspan) on surges above and around the rim.
During a recent win over Beckley Prep (WV) at home, Maidoh hit a deep 3-pointer, knocked back a short-range jumper, and flushed home an extravagant two-handed dunk during a six-minute span. It was emblematic of the sheer versatility he possesses, as he’s got an outside stroke which takes rim protectors away from the basket.
Maidoh has improved tremendously as a high-flying athlete with high-percentage capabilities around the rim. His ability to get up and down the court swiftly aligns with the traditionally souped-up attack Chaney has implemented throughout his career.
With a high ceiling, Maidoh currently holds offers from UMass, St. Louis, and St. Bonaventure.
German Kasanzi–The 6-foot-5 guard/forward has a bullish frame and has been a consistent source for off the bench scoring, with his ability to hit 3-pointers and also get inside for reverse layups.
Kasanzi has made the most out of meaningful minutes this season, most notably during the team’s defeat of IMG Academy during the aforementioned showcase at Massanutten Military Academy.
At the right fit, Kasanzi has the tool-set to prosper as a big guard who can create matchup difficulties and hit outside shots. He’s a spirited rebounder who isn’t afraid to use his frame by playing and guarding inside the trenches.
With his readiness and tactical overall style, Kasanzi has impacted games by taking charges, sprawling on the floor for 50-50 balls, and making key steals. On most other teams in the country, without the litany of guards Scotland Campus possesses, Kasanzi’s statistics would be louder.
