Recruiting Update: 2019s With Upside
Nicola Elame, Bella Vista Prep
The hard-edged, drive-first guard plays with a toughness and a swagger. He’s consistently in attack mode, carving his way to the rim and finishing with his explosive aerial game. Elame has paid special devotion to establishing a mid-range game, a necessity as he adjusts to the next level where 7-foot behemoths will surely be anticipating his thorough forays to the rim. He’s become a well rounded scorer since coming to the United States from France in 2016.
He initially needed to gain a fluid shot, as this was originally his glaring weakness. By paying enough time to rectify the flaw, he’s actually turned it into a strength. His ball handling and ability to create for others have grown exponentially. The Class of 2019 Elame holds offers from Fresno State, UTEP, UCSB, and several others. He will savor a leadership role under head coach Kyle Weaver this season. Elame possesses the type of wowing athleticism that allows him to make plays very few can pull off at this level.
Kenny Isnord, DME Academy
The 6-foot-8 manchild is a rip roaring rebounder who can get to the rim and finish with ease. He’s got the mobility and ferocious powering up game that makes him a high efficiency threat. The key focus for Isnord is developing some ball skills to mirror the high motor and unbridled relentlessness with which he plays.
He’s still grasping the niceties of a face up game and incorporating a feathery jumper into his arsenal. He’s a power player at this level, but will have to put a wide ranging skill set behind the talent he already has while assimilating to the next level. Murray State, VCU, Virginia Tech, FGCU, FIU, Auburn, Western Kentucky, and several others appear to be in heavy pursuit of the high engine boasting, re-classified 2019 prospect.
Jonathon Dos Amos, Victory Rock Prep
The mobile 6-foot-8, 195-pound power forward can play in multiple flow offenses. He’s got the type of bouncy athleticism and rim to rim game that aligns with today’s high major game. He’s evolved as a guy who can exploit mismatches with his back to the rim game and also pop out and knock back the 15-18 footer with consistency. His ability to hit the backboards with consistency and engine are appealing factors for Dos Amos.
South Alabama, Seton Hall, VCU, and Coastal Carolina have plunked down offers for the Class of 2019 prospect. Arkansas and East Carolina have seen him this pre-season and are intrigued.
Idrissa Bivens, The Nation Christian Academy
Ole Miss has now offered the shifty and cerebral 6-foot-2 guard, who has the chance to really register his presence in the Class of 2019 this season. He had several games of 10 or more assists last season. This year, he should adjust to more of a go-to scorer. He possesses innate ability in creating space and scoring off the dribble and through traffic.
Justin Johannesen, The Nation Christian Academy
The 6-foot-11 behemoth has multi-positional versatility with his ability in the pick-and-pop game. He’s steadily evolved into a screen and roll threat. With his patience and inability to get rattled he’s got the look of a game control forward who makes sound decisions with the basketball. He currently holds an offer from McNeese State and is quickly developing interest from mid majors.
Clarence Nodalny, SCS
The 6-foot-4 French guard, with his wowing athleticism and ferocity in the above the rim game, is similar to former West Oaks stud Sylvain “Frenchie” Francisco (currently playing professionally in France). Nodalny has a lightning quick first step and thrives while in attack mode. He shoots it well and has considerable elevation in his shot, getting off the ground significantly. He has developed a nifty pair of offensive tools with his turnaround jumper and fluid stepback.