Recruiting Report: Artese Stapleton (2019)
Kenwood 2019 point guard Artese Stapleton is a thin and wiry point guard that we were high on after his play last July for Young & Reckless. He struggled a bit with injuries and inconsistency during the high school season at Kenwood, but he definitely has D1 ability. Stapleton is a slick handling lead guard that is shifty with the ball in his hands. Gets in the lane when he wants driving to the cup for layups and finishes through contact despite his thin build. Solid passer in the open floor pushing it up the court. Just an average perimeter shooter. At times can be too passive. When engaged in the game he is a dynamic playmaker. Low-majors should monitor him in the live periods.
He talked about the injury that held him out during the season.
“Unfortunately I had an ankle injury and was out for 2 months of the season. It was a real up and down season, but I couldn’t do much about it.”
There is one area of his game he wants to utilize more this summer with Young & Reckless.
“I got a lot of confidence in my jump shot. I could always shoot, but I never shot it. I have been really working on it.”
What can he bring to a team at the next level?
“I feel like I am a great leader that can start your offense and start your defense. Keep being vocal on the court and get everyone going.”
He teams up in the backcourt again this summer with another speedy guard.
“This team is going to be exciting. With me and Chris (Roberts) back it is running. I love playing with him because we just go! We are two fast guards. We get a lot of quick points on steals.”
Lehigh is the only school to show interest in Stapleton at this time.