Under-Recruited in the 2018 Class, Pt. 2
As members of the 2018 class ramp up to the start of their final high school basketball seasons, several are starting to really look ahead to playing at the next level. The 2018 class has some quality depth in it and there are several kids who are going to be really good college basketball players. Here are a few of the 2018 kids we can see being worthy of more recruiting as their senior seasons start up.
Curt Lewis, Valley – Lewis is a really athletic combo guard out of Louisville whose best basketball is ahead of him. As a Junior, Lewis averaged 12.8 points per game. He had a good spring AAU season with Hoop Dreams but his momentum stalled in July. If Lewis can show he can run a team from the point guard spot and improve his shooting, Curt can be a really solid low major D1 prospect.
Darius Harding, Elizabethtown – Darius is a strong combo guard prospect who reminds of Isaiah Briscoe with a better jump shot. The way Darius bullies defenders to the rim is impressive. While Harding isn’t the best athlete you’ll see, his court awareness and basketball IQ make up for many of his shortcomings. Consistently improving as a shooter, Harding holds an offer from Campbellsville and interest from Kentucky Wesleyan.
Alexander Payne, Lexington Catholic – Coming off a junior season where he averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds, Payne could improve on those numbers as a senior. Payne played well in the AAU season and can play multiple positions and guard all 5 spots on the floor. The issue with Payne is that he’s a “tweener” at 6’5″. If Zan can show ability to play on the wing, he can see recruiting come his way. Payne could also be a good candidate for a prep school and reclassification to the 2019 class.
Stephon Franklin, Doss – A heady point guard who knows how to run a team, Franklin is one of the better players in Louisville but his name isn’t often mentioned with the others. As a junior, Franklin averaged 12.3 points and shot 40% from 3 for the season. Stephon reminds me of former Boyle County point guard and current Milwaukee Junior Jeremiah Bell. I could see Franklin running a D1 team in the next 2-3 years.
Dalton Perkins, Mason County – Perkins has a lot of intangibles. Standing almost 6’10” and possessing a wingspan over 7 foot long, Dalton blocks a lot of shots. Unfortunately, Perkins has been hurt off and on for his high school career. Dalton is a good student with a GPA over 3.75 and an ACT of 23 at last check. He will find a home on a college roster before next fall. The only question is what level Dalton is going to be playing on.
Stephen Cager, Hopkinsville – Polar opposite of Perkins, “Shorty” stands 5’5″ and you won’t ever hear anyone talk about his “length or upside” but good luck keeping Cager out of the lane. Shorty averaged 16 points per game and shot over 44% from 3 as a junior for the regional champion Hopkinsville Tigers. Cager is a dog on the court and I mean that in the best way possible. Shorty takes a lot of pride in his abilities and can almost definitely be a D1 player if a coach is willing to take a chance on a shorter point guard. Some college coach will win a lot of games with Shorty Cager.