Newcomers in Class of 2020: Part IV
Check out newly ranked members of the junior class below.
If you want to look at the complete rankings, smash here.
Newcomers are either players previously undervalued or possibly players that developed their game in the last few months. For most of the newcomers we ranked it simply comes down to exposure. They didn’t advance as far in the playoffs as other players or their AAU team was playing on a forgettable circuit.
For whatever reason these players escaped the @PrepHoopsTN gaze until now. Read about why they earned their way into the latest 2020 rankings.
These players represent two newly ranked Class of 2020 hoopers (ranking listed left of their name).
#91 Robbie Rusciano (McEwen)
Blessed with alliteration and scoring prowess, Robbie Rusciano knocks down shots from 6-foot-5 frame. Instantly, in the modern game, he is a recruitable player. Height + outside shooting is exceptionally form-fitting to the everybody shoots from the arc style. Rusciano doesn’t just shoot though. He rebounds, defends the paint, and likes to incorporate teammates. For McEewen he is truly a complete player. To be brutally honest, McEwen is not facing many college prospects nightly. This doesn’t prohibit Robbie from advancing beyond high school. In fact, every top 100 player should be playing somewhere next year. It just doesn’t suggest that his 28+ ppg translate directly to 28 ppg against Raleigh-Egypt or East Nashville High for example.
One of Rusciano’s most impressive runs of scoring came against Mt. Pleasant. He scored 36 points with nine rebounds and eight blocks, including six consecutive made free throws in overtime to seal the 77-74 win.
Deserving of respect also is Rusciano’s academic grind. At last check Robbie managed straight A’s in the fall semester. Morph those into his 3.78 GPA and you have a wonderfully well-rounded scholar-athlete.
#94 Julian Bond (Dyer County)
Silly strong. Julian attended the @PrepHoopsTN Fall Combine and earned his way onto the Top 20 All-Star Team with ferocious offensive rebounding and dominating physical play in the paint. He stands about 6-foot-5 and projects as a small college four man. Bond instantly adds toughness, aggression, commitment to any team he joins. He isn’t at strong at mid-range shooting or elite change of direction. With more agility training he can probably defend a college three at the small school level.