2018 Trio Enter Senior Year As Early Commits
As August approaches, interest and offers are heating up for Kentucky’s 2018 prospects. A trio of prospects have already made their decisions known. As Kentucky’s only 2018 early-commits, Prep Hoops Kentucky spotlights the trio here.
Anthony Wales, Fern Creek High School – 5’11, Guard
Wales committed to Samford much earlier than most. Going into his junior season at Fern Creek, Wales was offered, visited, and committed to Samford without hesitation. (From his November Prospect Spotlight by T.J. Rushing), “They’re all about family and it seemed like a great fit for me,” said Wales. “It’s a school where I can get a good education, and I just like the vibe that it gave as soon as I got to the school and walked around the campus.”
Wales helped Fern Creek reach it’s first ever Kentucky state tournament, going 35-3 overall during the season while advancing to the semi-final game. The 5’11 guard averaged 14.3 points while shooting 53% from the field (41% from 3-point range).
Danny Butt, Pulaski County High School – 6’2, Guard
The Maroon guard averaged right at 10 points per game as a junior last season, and one can assume that (a long with brother Steven Fitzgerald) he’s looking to help lead Pulaski County back to the state tournament this year. Butt was plagued with an injury toward the end of the season and saw limited action. He scored 5 points in Pulaski’s 12th Region tournament win over Mercer County and Pulaski struggled against state powerhouse Scott County in the first round of state.
Butt is a bulldog on the court. His size at the point guard position allows him to finish down hill at the rim, and he’s also capable of knocking down shots with range. He’s also capable of zipping passes to open teammates on a dime.
The injury didn’t keep him from gaining the interest of the University of the Cumberlands (NAIA). Cumberlands offered and Danny Butt committed in May after his junior season was complete. Cumberlands competes year in and year as one of the top teams in the NAIA’s toughest conference, the Mid-South. They are annual contenders to make the NAIA national tournament.
Cooper Robb, Scott County High School – 6’2, Guard
Cooper Robb was the floor general for Scott County during a season that saw the Cardinals go 31-6, winning the 11th Region tournament and losing only once to an in-state school all regular season. Scott County lost to eventual state champion Bowling Green in a second round exit in the state tournament. Robb Scored 19 points on 9-12 shooting in a first round win against Pulaski County.
Robb averaged right at 15 points and 5 rebounds per game while playing the point guard position. He also shot 48% front he field. In a number of games we saw, it was clear Robb helped make everything go with the Cardinals, even with 2019 star forward Michael Moreno on the floor. But even then, coaches weren’t showing a whole lot of interest.
Fast-forward to July after an outstanding showing with Phenom Hoops Report, where Robb dished out 15 assists with no turnovers at the Phenom Southern Jam event, and then a follow up performance in which he tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists – Robb finally had coaches taking notice, specifically UNC-Charlotte.
Robb was offered and committed to UNC-Charlotte after.