2017 Rankings: Top 10 Under the Radar
Like all states, there are plenty of talented players who get overshadowed either due to their role on the team or the success of their counterparts. The class of 2017 has a number of talented players who have their own…
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Continue ReadingLike all states, there are plenty of talented players who get overshadowed either due to their role on the team or the success of their counterparts. The class of 2017 has a number of talented players who have their own stories as to why they are under the radar. However, they are all capable and deserving of receiving next level attention. Keep an eye on these prospects this next season.
2017 – Under the Rader
#15 Bryce Fowler Agua Fria – It is strange to say that a prospect who is ranked as the #15 prospect in his class and was on a team that recently made it to the state championship for Division II is under the radar, but that is exactly the case for Fowler. Fowler has received some interest, but he has yet to receive any offers. He has a long wing who can shoot the basketball at a high level, take someone off the dribble, and play on the block. Furthermore, he has a great basketball mind and a good handle.
#21 Elijah Mead Camelback – Mead came to the state as a sophomore and did not play ball his freshman year in Texas. As a move-in who enjoyed a short, but highly successful stint at AIA affiliate South Mountain, most did not hear of Mead. In addition, as a Junior, Mead played at CAA affiliate Student Choice where most did not hear of him. With that said, look for him at Camelback. He can shoot the basketball as well as anybody in this class, and he has a good basketball IQ. He is a low NCAA Division I prospect.
#26 Logan Matulis Mountain Pointe – Matulis actually reminds me a lot of Fowler. A longer wing who can shoot the basketball well and play on the block. Moreover, he is solid makes very few mistakes throughout the course of the game. He is a very reliable prospect who should receive more attention as he will be expected to play an even bigger role now that Mountain Pointe is in desperate need of strong big play.
#31 Max Moses Arcadia – Due to the state having so many talented guards in this class, Moses often gets overlooked. However, he is one of the top five tempo managers in the state. He can also shoot the lights out of the gym, and he has good strength. Although he has not received the same recruiting attention as many of his counterparts, he has had the opportunity to have a lot of success at Elite camps over this summer and fall.
#32 Cody Carmichael Ironwood – Carmichael had a solid season for the Eagles last year, and he looks poised to have an even bigger senior year. If this summer is any indication as to what Ironwood should expect from this talented guard, colleges should have him on their lists. He can play at an extremely high level and made have the best speed in this class. Moreover, he does a great job of stopping on a dime and making reads after creating separation.
#36 Santino Duarte Sunnyside – Duarte made a name for himself as a sophomore as Sunnyside exceeded everyone’s expectations greatly. He provided a big man presence that made everyone excited to see his encore as a junior. Unfortunately, due to injuries, his junior campaign was cut short. With that said, expect Duarte come back and be one of the best big men in the state. He has great footwork, soft hands, and rotates well defensively.
#37 Tre Mitchell La Joya – Mitchell has earned significant playing time at La Joya the past couple of seasons and the program has enjoyed a fair amount of success due in large part to this point guards ability to dictate the tempo of the game. He can get in the paint whenever he needs to and has good length. With that said, one of the biggest things he brings to a college program is that he has proven that he can be a floor general on offense and play tough defense.
#45 Trevor Thompson Moon Valley – Thompson can flat out play. When he gets into a rhythm, he is capable of shooting the basketball as well as any player in the class of 2017. In addition, he does not need others to create for him. He is capable of using his footwork as well as live ball moves to create separation. He also does a nice job of stopping on the move and pulling.
#50 Adam Wright McClintock – Due to having two talented, college level prospects ahead of him on the pecking order, Wright has not been able to demonstrate all that he can do. With their departures and the emergence of Josh Baker, look for the Baker and Wright combination to make a lot of noise in a top heavy conference with Sunnyslope and Apollo. Keep an eye on this young man as he role will be greatly expanded, and he has the skills to play this game at an extremely high level.
#53 Cole Roether Liberty – As Roether goes this next year, Liberty will go. Roether is one of the most competitive players I have had the opportunity to watch in this class. He is the epitome of the cliche quote, “Hate losing as much as you love winning.” He can fill it up in a matter of moments due to his ability to shoot the basketball from deep. Where he is vastly underrated is his ability to create inside the 3. Due to his shooting abilities, he elicits a hard closeout which opens driving gaps for him. He finishes around the rim at a very high level.