Fall Combine Recaptures
For 2019 prospects the time for college recruiting is now. A few dozen or so elite, top of the class prospects are already verbally committed. All throughout September college coaches ventured into high school gyms in search of their future starters. At the Above The Rim Gym/ PrepHoopsTN Fall Combine we also had a few college prospects from the Class of 2019.
Southwind wing defender Codey Bates is drawing interest from Wingate and Delta State (DII). He deserves more looks and the body indicates he will be able to challenge for playing time immediately upon arrival in fall 2019.
Codey Bates 2019 Southwind Wing Guard
Low Major is a deserved resting place for Codey Bates, but his recruitment is not reflecting it. Over the summer Codey played with a gritty Alabama Magic squad. Both Delta State and Wingate are interested. Either would be lucky to get him in their program. All Codey does is show up to every challenge with his toolbox and worker’s helmet.
Bates projects as a great LM lockdown defender. He probably won’t be a double-figure scorer at the D1 level, but he isn’t the kind of player to complain about lack of touches. Bates is a wonderful piece to a winning puzzle.
Jaylen Negron 2019 West Creek Point Guard
Quicks provide the foundation for Jaylen’s game. He doesn’t play to his full height though. With Negron’s capacity to create and nice guard length he needed to draw more and-1’s in the frenzied fullcourt environment. As a 2019 Negron lags behind his peers in upper body musculature. He projects as a elite D3/D2 point guard. Low major feels a level too high for an admittedly athletic speedster.
Torian Daly Jr. 2019 Stewarts Creek Point Guard
Stewarts Creek lost a lot when J.J. Platt (PrepHoopsTN #28) transferred to Webb-Bell Buckle this offseason. The promise of the Stewarts Creek 2019 class mounting a comeback season reduced dramatically, but now Torian Daly Jr. becomes the star at Stewarts Creek.
Paired with Javonte Platt in June at Lipscomb’s Team Camp, Torian displayed daunting physicality. The comfort Torian shows in the lane is incredible. Standing 6-foot-0 Daly Jr. likes to carve up defenses and then finish ahead of the pack. In the halfcourt Daly Jr. loses a little value because his jumper is only decent.
With Stewarts Creek, a guard-heavy team, Torian Daly Jr. will create many fastbreak chances with his legs. The burden on Daly Jr. this season is great in Platt’s absence but if Sunday’s performance is any indication he will weclome the challenge without fright.
Haneef Sharif 2019 Blackman Wing
Small reserve minutes colored Haneef’s 2017-2018 junior season with State Quarterfinalist Blackman Blaze. In all the 5-foot-9 Sharif logged 80 game minutes. His greatest impact was felt just after Thanksgiving. A three-game stretch of 10+ minutes per night unearthed Haneef Sharif’s impressive rebounding instincts.
Sunday Haneef was explosive in the role of wing forward/wing guard. With hands measured as among the smallest of seniors, Haneef still owned the defensive glass in 5-versus-5 open court play. The one-step vertical of Haneef measured 33 inches.
Coach Jeremy Pope observed that Haneef had “very quick feet and [is a] very intensive defensive player. Penetrates and can break down off the dribble effectively. Very creative finished. Jumper can use some work.”
Shari’s skills indicate he will never be a point guard. With his athleticism he will certainly help Blackman High School in 2018-2019 on the glass and defensively. Sunday he narrowly missed appearing in the All-Star Game (top 20 players).