Prospect Spotlight: Khalid Fleming (2019)
Photo provided by: Khalid Fleming (@KhalidFleming)
Defensive minded, scorer, team player and leader are just a few words that describe Khalid Fleming.
He’s not worried about individual stats. He’s focused on winning, and that selflessness has helped him grow in to one of the top players in the state.
Fleming came off of the bench and played a key role in River Rouge’s 24-2 season last year. However, after his family moved, Fleming has become the star guard for the Lincoln Park Railsplitters.
“The transition was really hard. I didn’t want to leave my teammates, and I’ve built some strong relationships there,” Fleming said. “We moved, and my mom couldn’t get me to school every morning because she has to work and the bus was too far.”
The transition may have been tough, but the 5-foot-8 point guard has had a strong junior season thus far, averaging 22.2 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals per game. Fleming is one of the best defenders in the Detroit area and is very good at getting his teammates involved on offense. He’s rated as Prep Hoops’ No. 43 prospect in the state of Michigan for the class of 2019.
“My strengths are getting my teammates involved, making open shots, locking up on defense, getting to my spots on the floor, my IQ and leadership is probably one of the biggest ones,” Fleming said.
Fleming has played a huge role for the Railsplitters so far this season, as he leads his team in just about every statistical category. He’s plays a ton of minutes, but his motor never stops. He’s always engaged and looking to make a big play.
“I’m a quick guard that can change paces,” Fleming said. “I can play fast, slow, in transition or in the half court, great defender and get my teammates going. I’m talking the whole game. My game has translated great for my team and for me.”
He hasn’t received any offers yet, and outside of a visit to Grand Valley State University, there hasn’t been a ton of interest. However, he’s only a junior and has a lot of time to gain interest from schools around the country. And if he continues to play the way he has this season, there will be plenty of programs trying to land him.
Fleming knows that if he wants to make it to the next level, he’ll have to keep working on various aspects of his game. The two things he’s working on most are shooting and making better decisions. He’s averaging 2.5 turnovers per game, and at his height, getting shots off can be difficult. That’s why he started watching shorter players such as Isaiah Thomas (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets). Both are undersized point guards that have become All-NBA caliber players.
As the high school season heats up, Fleming is focused on achieving the team and individual goals he set before the season. The Railsplitters are 3-5 overall and 1-4 in league play, but Fleming believes that once they get it together, they are the best team in the league and can make a run in the playoffs. Individually, he just wants to get better every day and make the team better any way he can.
“One goal I have for myself is to win,” Fleming said. Point guards are judged off winning and decision making. Also, I want college coaches to know that they can take a chance one me and will not regret it.”
Check out his highlights:
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10521988/5a5bf286f55f880eb855e10f