Sleepers Available: Class of 2019 (1-5)
Last week, a lot of high school basketball players signed their letters of intent with their respective colleges/universities. However, not all of AZ’s top talent signed. There are still plenty of talented players who remain unsigned going into this high school season. Here are the sleepers available from the class of 2019 (1-5):
1. Khalid Price G (Mountain Pointe 2019):
Khalid Price is one of the smartest guards in all of Arizona. I have complete faith that he can play ball at the next level, especially as a floor general who just gets the offense going and the ball moving. He should get some JUCO, NAIA looks this year. I think he could also play at a D2 school.
2. Keaton Rodgers F (Sandra Day O’Connor 2019):
Keaton is a great scorer and has shown a willingness and dedication to improving his skills. I think that JUCO and NAIA level is the best route for him but could see him playing D2 as well, if he improved. I think the best route for Rodgers is to play JUCO first and then transfer after two years.
3. Malik Smith F (Ironwood 2019):
Malik is super athletic and has already gotten some JUCO offers and NAIA interest. However, I think Smith has the athleticism and skill to play at a high end D2 and has the potential to play at a low end D1. Those projections are determined by how much Malik improves while at a JUCO but I can absolutely see the potential.
4. Zach Paloma G (Sunnyslope 2019):
Much like Khalid Price, Zach Paloma is very smart and runs whatever offense handed to him. I really like Paloma’s game, especially as a floor general. He is more athletic than people give him credit as well and is actually a pretty solid on ball-defender.
5. Julian Molina G (Mountain View 2019):
Molina is a high volume scorer but lacks the athleticism and size to play D1 ball, even though the talent and skill is there. I think he ends up at a JUCO and has great success scoring the ball at that level.