Prospect Spotlight: Marcellus Vail (2020)
We are on the tail end of summer basketball and around the country, college prospects at all levels are working on their game and working toward earning an opportunity to play at the next level. Prep Hoops Kentucky puts the spotlight on prospects around the Bluegrass State.
Marcellus Vail is a 6’2″ Combo Guard out of Collins High School in Shelbyville. He saw the floor in 31 out of 37 games as a freshman for the team that went on to win the 8th region and advanced to the quarterfinals of the KHSAA State Tournament at Rupp Arena in March. Vail posted 3.8 points per game and 1.1 rebounds for the Titans before a breakout AAU season for KY Defenders that ended with over 50 wins, several championships and a D2 national title. As we get to know this 2020 class more over the next year or so, I expect Marcellus to become one of the better players in the state in his class. I recently spoke with Vail about his game, his AAU season and his expectations for his sophomore season playing for coach Chris Gaither and the Collins Titans.
2020 Collins/Ky Defenders G Marcellus VailWhen I asked Vail to describe his game, he informed me “I think what I do best is shoot the rock”. I agree with his assessment. In the 15u championship game of the All-In Hoopfest, Marcellus was scorching the nets to the point that the West Virginia Wildcats had to resort to completely face-guarding him. Marcellus did acknowledge his areas for growth, “I need to improve on my ball handling. That would be the biggest part, and also some defensive things.”
Vail spent his spring and summer with one of the most successful 2020 AAU teams in Kentucky. The Kentucky Defenders totaled a record of 51-7 over the AAU season. They won 9 of the 13 tournaments they entered and were a perfect 9-0 in championship games. The biggest trophy they brought back to the Commonwealth was a D2 National Championship.
Marcellus hasn’t heard from any colleges yet but he already has an idea of what type of system he would like to play in when he does reach the college level, “I like to play fast. So I want to get out on breaks and let’s run.” Before he can reach the college level, Vail still has 3 years of high school left and he has big goals for himself and his team for the 2017-18 season, “I’d like to average 12 points per game. And I’d like to get back to Rupp Arena with my team and play for a state championship this year.” With Vail and fellow sophomore Dayvion McKnight in the backcourt, Collins has the foundation to return to Rupp Arena multiple times before they graduate.