Woody Newton, Mount Zion Prep (MD), 2020: At 6-foot-8, the Syracuse-commit possesses a game that best aligns with what is favored by high-major coaches. He’s an adept ball handler, can create offense, and has improved incrementally as a knockdown shooter. Newton’s ability to make dazzling plays around the rim and above the rim have always given him a beyond his years identity.
With Ayinde Hikim, the program’s since graduated high-scoring and high-wired guard now at LaSalle, the onus is on Newton to inherit some of the leadership mantle. He’s shown he can turn in plays only rarified talents are capable of–like quarterback to receiver style transition passes. He’s a guy who plays with his eyes perpetually up and doesn’t need a lot of shots to have a good scoring night. This should offer immediate contributions to Syracuse, which has struggled with consistency and shooting percentage for much of the start of this 2019-20 campaign.
David N’Guessan, Mount Zion Prep, 2020: If the 6-foot-9 David N’Guessan’s game were a stock, now would be an opportune time to purchase it. Having increased his overall feel for the game, N’Guessan has the attributes to be a versatile threat at the ensuing level of play. With his motor, hustle heavy approach, he’s registered his presence as a high percentage scorer who can create mismatch issues. Virginia Tech is the latest to offer the vastly improved rim to rim big, who also has programs such as St. Joe’s, DePaul, VCU, and a barrage of others in heavy pursuit of him. N’Guessan’s ability to be workmanlike and consistent and also steadily increase his offensive arsenal (over the past two seasons) is why so many are quick to cite his upside.
Otis Frazier, Mount Zion Prep, 2020: The bouncy 6-foot-5 guard has shown a unique ability to finish lobs with ferocious two-handed dunks. Frazier’s athleticism mirrors Mount Zion’s souped up, uptempo attack orchestrated by well built, high end athletes. Frazier is currently averaging 17PPG and has opened a lot of eyes, despite not being equated with the same “rankings” and star power as others he may very well be more polished than. He’s developed into a creative and willing passer, taking a sense of pride in making those around him beneficiaries of his presence. Utah Valley, Long Beach State, and Fairfield have all now offered Frazier. He’s shown a heady overall game and plays within himself. He’s got the potential to really ramp up his recruitment over these next few months, most notably in March during the prestigious Prep National Championship in Connecticut.
Caleb Bates, Mount Zion Prep, 2020: The strong 6-foot-7 forward has relished the “Mr. Everything” role for Mt. Zion (MD). He’s got an innate knack for crashing the boards and coming up with the ball, an aspect which gives the team rugged, augmented toughness. Bates is also a jack of all trades type offensively. Don’t be surprised to see him pop out and stick the 3-pointer, though he’s got an adeptness at scoring around the rim and coming up with pivotal second chance points. His coaches often liken his style to that of Udonis Haslem, the hustle heavy Miami Heat veteran.
Jo Smith, Mount Zion Prep, 2020: The upside-heavy 6-foot-10 prospect might possess the most overall potential in the program. When he’s locked in, he creates difficulty to guard because of his size and the fact that he’s left handed. He’s got a deft, feathery touch in which he leans to his right shoulder. He’s also improved tremendously with his shooting mechanics, rapidly evolving as a reliable jump shooter who can make shots out to the 3-point arc. He’s got the potential to be a matchup headache at the ensuing level.
Abdiel Echevarria, Florida Central Point Christian ’20: The poised 6-foot-4 sharpshooter is a reliable 3-point threat who has turned in several 4-point plays this season. He has a smooth handle and ability to score off the dribble and via step-backs and pull-ups and corner jumpers.
He’s unselfish and improved at knifing his way to the rim with either hand. Still needs to be more talkative and communicative as his game evolves. Schools such as Western Kentucky and other MM-HM programs are beginning to keep tabs on him. has shown flashes of sneaky bounce. Had an illustrious high school career in Puerto Rico.
Jean Woody, Central Point Christian Acad. Post Grad: While very raw at 6-foot-9, the Haitian big shows flashes where he can really finish above the rim and be a high percentage threat. Still needs to be more aggressive offensively and hunt for his back to the basket game underneath. Has all of the appealing attributes with height, raw strength and power, and staggering 7-foot-3 wingspan. A work in progress, Woody has the potential to really maximize his game with a year or two of junior college.
Darryon Bandy, Central Point Christian Acad. Post Grad: The 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from Gary, Ind. contains high level and raw athleticism. This is evident with his finishing ability (dunks it from three feet away from the rim, springy hops and hangtime) and ability to grab boards and supply putback points. His jumper is a bit unconventional and needs some tweaking but he’s improved steadily with that compartment of his game.
He was a 16PPG scorer in high school who thrived at knifing to the rim and manufacturing points at the free throw line. If he can channel his athleticism into routinely gutsy performances–like he did with a 27-point, 12-rebound showing in a win over a downtrodden Rocktop Academy (PA) program–his stock should heighten. Would be a steal at the Division-II or high Division-III level.
Mamadou Gueye, Florida Central Point Christian Acad. , ’20 : Gueye would be an intriguing pickup for any program with his size at 7-foot-1, albeit he still needs to put a skill set behind the flashes he shows. While he’s raw offensively, he’s had multiple games of four and five or more blocked shots, an area he specializes in. Adept at protecting the rim, Gueye has upside with his mobility and wingspan. He has improved at scoring the ball with his soft touch and consistent short-range jumper, although he’s very much a work-in-progress style of recruit. With more bulk to his spindly frame, he’s got tremendous potential for any program willing to invest in a project.
Chase Thompson, S4G Acad (NC), ’20: With the body of a blacksmith, the 6-foot-7 and 240-pound Thompson has quite the advanced all around scoring skill set. Though he can barrel his way to the rim and score using his patented turn around move in traffic, he really possesses a wing/guard’s skill set.
He’s got a pull-up game, a stepback, and can hit the outside shot with consistency. This has enabled him to put together five games of 35+ points, proving he can reel off points in a hurry and kick-start vital surges. While he is still very much unknown on the recruiting market, the Nebraska native will benefit playing under Kyle Solomon, the legendary Gorton (NY) guard who has churned out late-blooming talent such as Dequon Miller (Missouri State) and Troy Stancil (Jackson State).
Solomon Ball, Scotland Campus 2022:
Don’t let those skinny arms fool you. The 5-foot-9 guard from Virginia is a tremendous shot-maker and a crafty left-handed scorer and facilitator who understands how to make those around him better. He’s had several double digit scoring performances, including an 11-point (3-for-4 3FG) showing during a 45-point trouncing of Massanutten (VA).
Ball’s mid-range game and work ethic and ability to hit scorers in stride and create the high low attack have all solidified his status as a promising young player in workouts. If he can continue to improve and pack muscle onto his spindly frame while undergoing a growth spurt, he’s got the potential to be a very special player.
Stanley Poliniere, Scotland Campus 2020:
All the way from Paris, France, the hard attacking point guard has an innate facilitating ability. He’s developed a real adept feel for the drive-and-kick game, where he can lure in defenders with his forays to the basket and dish it to an astonishingly open teammate.
Poliniere’s strength and college-ready body are factors that will give him appeal on the Division-I market. He’s adapted as more of a shooter and has added a reliable outside shot and transition 3-pointer to his arsenal. His off the dribble dishing and ability to hit cutters in traffic are notable factors of his game, which is predicated on initiating offense as a creator first.
Poliniere recently turned in his first double double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds during a win against Bristol Prep (TN). He currently holds a Division-I offer from Mississippi Valley State, coached by former NBA veteran guard Lindsey Hunter.
Jake Hyman, Scotland Campus Sports (PA) 2021: The 6-foot-2 sharpshooter brings a deft, powerful outside touch and an ability to spread the floor. A transfer via Massanutten (VA), the Australia native has entered pre-season in noteworthy shape. An active scorer who continues to develop his ball handling and playmaking, Hyman has played a vital role for coach Dave Gobrogge this season. He’s been a dependable knockdown shooter and also shown a knack for carving his way into the lane and finishing with either hand.
A high academic prospect, Hyman currently boasts a 3.4 GPA. He’s got the build and sneaky athleticism to be a dependable on-ball defender and critical two-way player.
