Prospect Profile: Tucker Pellicci (2020 Franklin HS/Rose City Rebels 17U)
Big men traditionally take some time to develop and Tucker Pellicci is evidence of that. The long 6-foot-10, 225-pound post only played junior varsity at Franklin High School last year, so getting an opportunity to play with the Rose City Rebels this spring and summer has literally been a brand new ball game for him – and it has certainly paid off with the rising junior’s continued development.
“It’s been a big learning curve,” Pellicci said. “It’s a big step up in intensity and it’s been all new competition and all new players I’m playing with. But it’s been a good change and and a good experience for the future for me.”
Pellicci started out in the spring playing for the Rebels 16U squad and then, starting with the Rose City Showcase in June, moved up to play with the top 17U team. If you talk to the Rebels coaching staff, they will tell you that he’s grown by leaps and bounds since AAU ball started. Pellici runs the floor fairly well, can face up and shoot it with a soft touch, and can make an impact simply with his height and length. He’s gotten some spot minutes here and there on the 17U team adding depth down low.
“I’ve been working on my post game a lot and I think it’s been really developing,” Pellicci said. “I’m working on getting on getting position and getting better shots.”
There’s been some early interest in Pellicci from college programs but nothing major at the moment. With his size and continued development, there are sure to be more schools calling on him once he starts playing varsity basketball in 2018-19. “I’m looking for somewhere that whoever wants to pay for my college and let me play college basketball,” Pellicci said. “I’m really open to anything, I’ll consider my options when I get them.”
Until then, Pellicci is planning on continuing to develop his game, encorporating what he’s learned this off-season into school ball in a few months. “I’ve learned a lot,” Pellicci said. “I’ve developed a lot as a player and I really think that doing all this will help me bring Franklin to a state championship.”