Prospect Spotlight: James Price (2018)
The dust from the class of 2018 commitments is beginning to settle, but there are still players who are taking the next couple of weeks to make their decision. One of those players is 2018 forward James Price.
We caught up with Price following The Brawl in Baltimore event hosted by Team Thrill this past weekend. Price, who plays for Team Thrill Black, had a couple of solid performances and impacted the game in many ways.
The 6-foot-5 forward has a strong frame and can be physically imposing when he is playing inside on either offense or defense. The thing that impressed us most about Price is that he doesn’t try doing anything outside of his limitations. While he isn’t the most athletic player on the floor, his size and strength allows him to be persistent on the glass. As a defender, his lateral movement still needs some improvement, but his arms are constantly extended making it difficult for his man to have a clean shot attempt or execute an easy pass.
Offensively, Price is an efficient scorer from 15 feet and in. Again, he isn’t going to try and play out of his limitations. He hasn’t developed a consistent outside shot yet, but with his form, it isn’t out of the question for the future.
Price had a productive season at Archbishop Curley, averaging a double-double for the Friars.
“I feel like we could’ve done better,” Price continued, “but we went out on a good note. As for me, I played my role and did what I was supposed to do. I rebounded and scored inside. I improved on my on-ball defense and guarding out on the perimeter. In today’s game as a forward, you have to be able to guard the ball on the perimeter. Everything for me starts on the defensive side of the ball.”
The senior is still undecided on whether he will do a post-graduate prep year or go to a specific Division III school, so for the time being he is playing with Team Thrill Black. During this time, Price has a few things in mind that he wants to improve on.
“My handling and being able to drive to the basket on the consistent basis,” Price said. “Also my outside shot.”
The 3.3 student isn’t sure about what he would like to major in once he gets to college, but there’s no doubt that he gets it done both on the floor and in the classroom.
What can a program expect to get with Price?
“A guy who plays hard, will give you defense, rebounds the ball, scores inside and does all of the little things,” Price said.