Arkansas Basketball Combine: Cream of the Crop
The annual Arkansas Basketball Combine took place over the weekend in the wonderful facilities of Arkansas Athletes Outreach in Fayetteville. Coach Kyle Unruh and his staff put on a top notch event that was loaded with some of the best talent the Natural State has to offer. Prep Hoops was in the building for the entirety of the festivities, and we will be releasing tons of analysis throughout the week. First up, we highlight several prospects who made the most of the opportunity and stood apart from the rest of the crowd. As our friends at Takeover Sports like to say, “bring your game, not your name.” These upperclassmen did exactly that:
6’4 Sr Freddy Hicks – Searcy
Freddy was VERY impressive Saturday, expect to see his name several times as we highlight the event over the course of the week. He has a strong built, college ready frame that allows him to play with a bullying strength and physicality on both ends. Physical and aggressive on ball defender who can wall-up inside or keep a guard in front on the perimeter. Quick hands, high motor, and willing to give up his body and take a charge. Attacks the glass with authority and retrieves the ball strong at its high point. He turned a number of steals into transition slams and is a punishing slasher in the half-court that finishes through contact. Has the ability to extend his range beyond the arc. He was a load from beginning to end and caught many more eyes than just mine.
6’2 Sr Spencer Simes – North Little Rock
Every second his team was in action, Spencer was in attack-mode. He had some of the best upper-body strength in the gym and the athleticism to finish above the rim. That, combined with his array of moves off the bounce, allowed him to get to the basket nearly at will where he finishes off the glass with the best of them. Very shifty, north to south driver that is lethal with his euros and step-thru finishes. You can’t back off him because he can pull-up and make you pay. Posts and scores on smaller guards. Defends and rebounds quite well at his position.
6’4 Sr Elliot Paschal – Rogers
Elliot was one of the top performers on the Prep Hoops Circuit over the summer, and he was one of the best at the combine Saturday. The young man has swag, from the impressive hair to the way he competes on the floor. He is tough as nails, plays with grit and intensity, and is a very skilled combo-guard. Very aggressive in transition. He can create off the bounce and score in multiple ways, excelling with up-and-under and off-hand finishes. Plus shooter. Unselfish with elite court-vision, he was one of the better passers in the gym. Absolute pesk on the defensive end and is always a threat to jump passing lanes and snag some steals.
6’2 Sr Lamar Wilkerson – Ashdown
Lamar Wilkerson is a name that college coaches need to, and will, start becoming more and more familiar with. He was the MVP of the 3A Arkansas State Championship game and boosted his stock more at the combine Saturday. In the first game I watched, he did all the little things you look for in a prospect. Communicates well. Locks up defensively. Always has his eyes up and head on the swivel, if a teammate is open he will find him. He plays with tenacity and constant energy and comes away with most 50/50 balls in his area. Rebounds like a power forward. But he is much more then an energy and effort guy. He is a bucket-getter. Scores it well at all three levels. High-flyer that gets downhill in a hurry with power. Can fill it up from long distance.
6’6 Sr Lawson Jenkins – Har-Ber
Missouri Southern is THE elite NCAA D2 program in the country, and the commitment of Lawson Jenkins has the future looking as bright as ever for Lions. He is a flat-out stud. Can play and defend nearly every position on the floor. Tall, very long wing that is an absolute sniper from three. With his length, he can elevate over most defenders with a quality look. He can put it on the floor and attack larger defenders off the dribble. He can take it to the block and post smaller defenders. His athleticism sneaks up on you and whether it’s in transition or using his high IQ to backdoor someone in the half-court he will not hesitate to elevate and throw down with authority. He can be the ball-handler or the screener in pick and pop/roll situations effectively. Very impressive and complete player.
6’5 (Post-Grad) Matthew Veen – Link Year Prep
Link Year Prep had a number of intriguing prospects and Matthew was one that continuously caught my eye throughout the day. He was an energizer bunny on the floor that was scrappy and aggressive on both ends. Long, rangy, and extremely bouncy. He flew down the floor in transition making sure to stay wide and be a target, and was rewarded with a number of dimes that led to impressive dunks. He has great second-jump ability that allows him to be a menace on the glass for put-backs. Knock-down corner three specialist.
6’4 Sr Taelon Peter – Russelville
Taelon is a highlight waiting to happen and keeps defenses on constant “poster alert”. He is a high-flyer (quite literally as he is a highly-decorated high-jumper) that put on quite a show punishing the rims at AAO Saturday. He finished a pair of lobs in the Top 20 game, one that he finished with a reverse slam and another that he actually threw to himself. While his supreme athleticism may be his best attribute, it is not his only one. I saw him knock down some jumpers with good looking release and rotation.
6’5 Sr Shannon Strickland – Monticello
Highly skilled, highly talented wing that can do many things that translate to the next level. Great size and length for a lead guard. He has an absolute burner from three. Very fluid, quick release and deep range. Strong hesitation dribble and can get all the way to the cup to finish, drop home a smooth floater, or pull-up on a dime and bury the mid-range jumper. He is a match-up nightmare. I am honestly shocked that I have not heard his name more often, but after his performance on Saturday I can guarantee that I won’t forget it moving forward.