Prospect Rankings Update: 2018 Top Slashers (Tier 1)
Slashers fill a disruptive offensive role. The point guards represent the pinnacle of Tennessee basketball in the Class of 2018, but slashers are the second-best group.
The slasher series breaks neatly into three tiers (Tier 2, Tier 3). Tier one (below) includes Trenton Gibson and Jacayah Webster from central Tennessee and Coulter Dotson and Caden Mills from east Tennessee.
To begin the dissection of the rankings, take a look at guards and wings who penetrate gaps in the defense for finishes at the basket.
#3 Ryan Boyce
Ryan Boyce is the James Worthy of Team Penny. Finishing plays is just what he does. Boyce has great body control and sprints up the floor with an energetic gait.
#6 TyLandrius Parks
TyLandrius Parks (Cover Pic: #21) is more than the explosive leader he instantly appears to be. Parks also can hit outside shots and might just become an elite defender. His game has room to grow.
#9 Caden Mills
Caden Mills climbed in the rankings due to transfers out of state, but earns every accolade he gets. Scoring and shooting appear to come naturally. They are not his birthright. Mills works and works.
#11 Coulter Dotson
Coulter Dotson begins his senior season with Believe Prep. The 6-foot-5 perimeter scorer has trained for years on his game. The offensive attributes are really impressive. He needs to find a way to deter college wings from penetrating.
#12 Jacayah Webster
Webster (Columbia Central) begins welcoming D1 coaches in for evaluations. He will find a nice home to offer size and scoring.
#20 Quatarius York
York (Cover Photo: #10) is a nice shooter blessed with uncanny athleticism. He remains somewhat raw, but belongs on a LM-MM roster.
#26 Allen Hatchett
Allen Hatchett might be the most undervalued player on this list. Scoring guards with his arsenal of skills generally age very well. He has a mature game and the decisions Hatchett makes in tight spots are generally sharp.
#27 Trenton Gibson
Trenton is a fullcourt player. He defends opponent’s best players, knocks down triples, and generally plays a winning brand of basketball.
#29 Jessie Hymon-Walker
Jessie is a heady player that demonstrates quicker hands than feet. He understands spacing very well and loves to involve teammates. Hymon-Walker is probably the most willing passer of this group. Team NLP loved to go through him at the high post.
#33 Cedric Henderson Jr.
Cedric can shoot and score in the mid-range. He needs to improve his quick dribble maneuvers in the halfcourt. Briarcrest plays him a little too often on the low blocks for maximum development, but Henderson Jr. might play his way into a few offers this winter.