2018: Division I Dark Horses
(Photo Credit: USA Today High School Sports)
Prep Hoops Kentucky has evaluated players and talked with a number of different coaches throughout the summer, at all levels, and look to put together a composite list of 2018 prospects who are on the cusp of receiving Division I interest and/or offers.
Below is a list of prospects capable of earning an offer at the low to mid-major level of Division I hoops:
Justin Mitchell, Fredrick Douglas High School
The 6’4 guard from Lexington, KY averaged right at 15 points and 7 rebounds last season at Henry Clay High School. This summer he has been impressive playing with the LEX Future, especially in displaying his athleticism. Mitchell will be attending Fredrick Douglas High School, a new addition to the Fayette County Public School district in Lexington. He earned all-district and all- region honors last season as a junior. Current D-I interest includes Radford, Morehead State, and IUPUI.
Eric Boone, Bryan Station High School
The 5’10 point guard has been playing with the Louisville Magic all summer – and if you know anything about the Magic, you know they’ve faced top tier talent competing in the Adidas Gold circuit. Boone may have done just enough to gain some interest and could fit in the right system on a D-I roster. As a junior, Boone averaged 14 points per game while 41% from the field.
Carter Hendrickson, Lexington Christian Academy
At 6’7 with an ability to shoot it and put it on the floor, Hendrickson is bound to find success wherever he goes. Already holding offers from D-II and NAIA powerhouses Bellarmine University and Georgetown College, Carter also holds heavy interest from Wright State according to his LEX Future coaches. Hendrickson helped lead LCA to it’s first ever 11th Region Tournament berth and while leading the team in scoring with 15 points per game. He shot 52% from the field while also grabbing 8.1 rebounds per game. Carter is capable of playing the wing, and if he got strong, could possibly make a good stretch four at some schools.
Terrance Clayton-Murphy, Bryan Station High School
Murphy averaged 13.5 points per game at Bryan Station last season as a junior. Showing some versatility at the guard position, if Terrance can learn to knock down shots with range consistently, look for his stock to rise. Army West Point reached out to him in early July and has some interest from schools such as Youngstown State and Toledo. He has been playing with Team (CKY) Vision this summer.
Solomon Mathis, Kentucky Country Day
Throw in Mathis as one who, with the right fit/system, could find his way on a D-I roster. Mathis is another that has received some interest from Army West Point and has even said himself that he’d like to play in the Patriot League (Anthony Mathis will be a freshman at Navy next season). Solomon averaged 17 points per game last season and shot over 46% from the field.
Alexander Payne, Lexington Catholic
Payne is another Louisville Magic prospect that has seen time against some of the countries elite. It’ll be interesting to see if his size (6’5) will allow him to play the SF position at the next level. He averaged 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds last season while helping lead the Knights to the 11th Region championship. Payne is the son of Kentucky assistant coach, Kenny Payne.
Cobe Penny, Anderson County High School
Penny can flat out score it in a variety of different ways. One thing that may keep him from succeeding at a low to mid-major school could be his size (5’10) and that he is not a true point guard. But don’t get it twisted, Penny has shown this summer that he is hard to stop down hill and is more athletic than one may anticipate – having shown some monster dunks in some games. Bellarmine has shown interest – and if you know anything about D-II powerhouses, they are just as good as some D-I schools. Cobe’s older brother, C.J., was an all-american forward at Asbury University. Cobe runs with the LEX Future this summer. He averaged 23 points and 7 rebounds – which, if you had an issue with his size, his rebounding average shows he makes up for it in heart.
Clint Wickliffe, Fern Creek High School
The 6’6 forward from Fern Creek helped lead the Tigers to it’s first ever Kentucky state tournament appearance, advancing all the way to the semi-final game. Wickliffe averaged just over 8.3 points and and 4 rebounds per game. But expect those numbers to go up after the graduation of senior stud Chance Moore. Wickfliffe is receiving interest from Temple, Murray State, Morehead State, and Appalachian State.