Lexington’s Top Unsigned Seniors
Photo Credit: Josh Moore, Lexington Herald-Leader
Lexington isn’t just the Horse Capital of the World, it’s full of players who can play at many different levels of college basketball. Last year’s Mr. Basketball (and now Western Kentucky diaper dandy) Taveion Hollingsworth is tearing it up at the Division One level, and 20+ players over the last few years have went on to play college basketball somewhere. PHKY takes a look at Lexington’s top unsigned seniors here:
Eric Boone, Bryan Station, Guard
One of the city’s top players, Boone helped Bryan Station blaze through a 11 game winning streak to start the season. The defenders are currently 19-5, with Boone averaging 20.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Boone currently holds offers from Kentucky State and Kentucky Wesleyan, both D2 programs. He’s also gaining a ton of interest from programs at the JUCO level. If Boone keeps it up, he may find himself playing on a D1 roster some day.
Alexander Payne, Lexington Catholic, Forward
The son of University of Kentucky assistant coach Kenny Payne, “Zan” is Catholic’s do-it-all guy. Standing at 6’5, Payne is averaging 20.8 points and and just under 10 rebounds per game. College destination is “TBD” at this point.
Justin Mitchell, Frederick Douglass, Guard
Mitchell has the size and athleticism to be a very good shooting guard at the next level. Averaging 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, high level NAIA’s or D2 schools could really allow Mitchell to showcase his talent and ability. A season or two at the JUCO level could also allow growth and maturation in Mitchell’s game.
Terrence Clayton-Murphy, Bryan Station, Guard
Clayton-Murphy could play at any tier of small college basketball and have some sort of impact. Averaging 13 points per game, he is quick with the ball in his hands, allowing him to get by defenders or bait them into backing off to showcase an improved dribble pull-up. In-state NAIA’s have shown interest throughout the season.
Eric Powell, Lafayette, Guard
Powell has been a leader for a Lafayette team that has been a pleasant surprise in the 11th Region this year (with wins against Madison Central, Doss, Lexington Catholic, and Bryan Station). Powell is averaging 14 points per game and 4 rebounds. He can get hot quick from behind the 3-point line and get after it defensively.
Keegan Bailey, Lexington Catholic, Guard
The Knights starting lead guard, Bailey is an underrated player who has potential to play at both the NAIA and D3 levels. When you see Bailey, who stands under 6 foot tall, you wouldntthink he’d be able to do some of the things he capable of doing in warm-ups. I know that sounds silly, but Bailey is freakishly athletic for his size. He is averaging 10 points per game for Catholic this season and has shown an ability to knock down 3-point shots. He totaled eight three’s against Henry County earlier in the year.
Max Sparkman, Lexington Catholic, Forward
Sparkman has good size and ability to play at the NAIA or D3 level. He’s also been a part of some very successful teams during his high school career at Lexington Catholic.
Cameron King, Lafayette, Guard
Another reason for Lafayette’s success this season, senior guard Cameron King. King is averaging 10.6 points per game while shooting 55% from 3-point range. Another Lexington prospect capable of playing at the NAIA or D3 level.