Chase Thompson, S4G Academy: At 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, the Nebraska native has been a revelation as a high-scoring threat. He has to the potential to be a mismatch at the next level.
Thompson led the nation in scoring in post graduate competition, averaging 31.5 PPG. He posted five games of 40+ points, including a 50-point outburst against Virginia Beach Academy. Thompson has all the attributes of a deadly scorer. He can knock down the outside shot with consistency. He’s very adept at carving his way to the rim and getting defenders to bite on pump fakes and hesitations.
It wasn’t like he was playing against a bunch of duds, either.
He posted 18 double doubles on the year, playing a national schedule that included three top-10 national prep programs and multiple Division-1 JUCOs. Out of Omaha, Nebraska, Thompson is buoyed by consistency. He wound up shooting 48 percent from beyond the arc. Defensively, he is multi-dimensional in guarding the 2-5 (as he did throughout the 2019-20 campaign).
A former All State football player in Nebraska, Thompson possesses a manchild build that enables him to bulldoze smaller defenders to the rim and also bring bigs outside of the paint to defend him. Daytona State, Moberly Area, Chipola, Ranger, and several other programs are in active pursuit of Thompson. He’s the standard “low risk” recruit because of his ability to embrace the team concept and outgoing personality. And he will work at a different pace than most.
Jordon Jones, Scotland Campus: The Maryland native would be a big pickup, both figuratively and literally.
At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, Jones is able to bully his way to the rim and finish at a high percentage. He’s got a tenacious style in the trenches, as he posted several double doubles while starting for a Scotland Campus national team containing a chock full of Division-1 talent.
Jones scored 21 points and yanked in 12 rebounds during Scotland’s 87-77 win over Perkiomen Prep during the Dunks For Drew tournament in Chambersburg, Pa. Jones also had 12 points, seven boards, and five assists during the Knights’ 25-point trouncing of IMG Academy during the 2019 Massanutten Military Challenge. Jones’ sheer physicality in the post and high IQ passing are what differentiates him from others. He’s got a knack for putbacks and keeping plays alive, relishing a hustle heavy style of play.
Stephan Dieujuste, Central Pointe Christian Academy Post Graduate: The 6-foot-1 guard is a crafty left handed scorer who posted multiple 20+ point and 6+ assist games under head coach Jeff Metzger. With his handle and sneaky explosiveness, the Florida native could potentially be a late get.
The kid they call “juice” scored 32 points during a 20-point win over Impact Academy in Sarasota, Fla. He was relentless during that memorable performance, scoring on the drive and through pull-ups, step backs and above the rim finishes.
Bamba Dieng, Central Pointe Christian Academy Post Graduate: At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, the native of the Senegal is an imposing rim protector who knows how to manipulate shots inside. His offensive game is still a work in progress, albeit he’s got the bullish build and strength to score inside.
Dieng was a consistent presence on the glass and with his wingspan and massive hands, he oozes of upside. While he is raw, Dieng possesses a high motor and mobility at his size.
Scottie Wintner, Hastings Prep: Don’t let that 5-foot-9 size fool you. The seasoned Wintner is a bullish guard who provides on-ball pressure throughout 94 feet and knows how to kick in assists.
He’s a drive-first, hard attacking guard who knows how to finish through contact and draw fouls. Wintner scored 15 points and doled out seven assists in a 75-50 win over Mount Zion of North Carolina, proving himself as a high octane guard and high wired act.
A soccer player as well, Wintner brings a mental edge with his competitive nature. He’s been in the gym consistently even during covid, making tweaks to a once cringe worthy jumper and developing into a three-level scorer who can handle the changing of the speeds as a combination guard.
Amir Brikat, Broward College
The freshman transfer showed promise at the now defunct program at Broward this past season, scoring 20 points during a victory over Victory Rock (FL) Prep and also scoring 13 points on a 6-for-6 clip against Miami Dade College.
At 6-foot-7, the Florida native possesses adept finishing ability and a dependable deep jumper. He possesses a 6-foot-9 wingspan and the ability to guard multiple positions.
Yeri Diallo, S4G Academy
The 6-foot-3, 170-pound guard posted 10 games of 18+ points and erupted for a 29-point, seven assist performance during a win over Richard Bland College.
Diallo, a young senior who just turned 18, had six games of 5+ 3-pointers. He’s become more aggressive on the attack and scoring in one on one situations. With deceptive strength, he’s become a reliable on ball defender as well.
