2020 Rankings Update: High Academic Standouts
While there may not be a lot of guys from the Class of 2020 being recruited at the NCAA Division I level, there is a lot of depth in this group of seniors – including a number of players who…
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Continue ReadingWhile there may not be a lot of guys from the Class of 2020 being recruited at the NCAA Division I level, there is a lot of depth in this group of seniors – including a number of players who are high-academic performers. Whether or not they decide to continue their playing careers at the Division III level, these standouts are going to be entertaining possibilities at these types of programs – who will undoubtedly going to be recruiting them hard during the 2019-20 season.
Here’s a look at the some of the top ones.
Gabe Reichle (2020 Wilsonville) – #8
Armed with good grades and test scores in addition to a great all-around game, Reichle is the highest-ranked high-academic prospect in the Class of 2020. He’s already taken visits to a number of high-academic Division III schools on the East and West Coasts and he’s on the recruiting lists of some Ivy League schools. Reichle will play out the season before making any decisions and it will be interesting to see where he eventually lands.
Jacob Thompkins (2020 Summit) – #15
Thompkins may be the most highly recruited high-academic prospect in the state. The 6-foot-4 senior not only boasts a great jump shot and potential as a possible big point guard, he also maintains a 3.6 GPA and test scores of 27 on the ACT and 1140 on the SAT. He’s received a roster spot from George Fox, other members of the Northwest Conference has been in touch, as have some other schools such as Redlands in California. There are possible scholarship opportunities from D-II/NAIA institutions so Thompkins is keeping things open until after the season.
Erik Fraser (2020 Grant) – #17
With a 4.0 GPA, 27 on the ACT and 1300 on the SAT, and the desire to be an engineer, there’s no question that Erik Fraser has some serious high-academic credentials. He’s hoping to get as much school paid for as possible as well and his growth as a player this summer may earn him that. Fraser has an offer from OIT, has visited Colorado School of Mines, and other high-academic D-II schools will certainly be giving him a look this season.
Joe Juhala (2020 West Linn) – #21
Another player garning plenty of high-academic interest is Juhala – not only because of his grades and test scores (3.0 GPA/28 ACT) but also the fact he’s 6-foot-7, athletic, and able to hit from the perimeter. The senior continues to grow with his overall skill level and feel for the game and a big senior season could determine what eventual level he plays at.
Jack Chlumak (2020 Lake Oswego) – #23
Chlumak has a ton of potential – not only athletically but as a student as well as he sports a 4.136 GPA along with a 1190 SAT test score. The 6-foot-3 senior also made the most his last year of school to Lake Oswego which should challenge him both on and off the court. Chlumak has already garnered a roster spot offer from George Fox and other schools have shown interest as well.
Tucker Pellicci (2020 Franklin) – #24
Pellicci has what all Division III schools covet – size at 6-foot-11. The senior also has great grades as well with a 3.85 GPA and he’s already picked up a Division III roster spot offer from the University of Dallas. Pellicci continues to grow as a player both with his skills and his confidence, and the season may end up determining whether he earns more scholarship offers (in addition to Hawaii-Hilo) or go the D-III route.
Matthew Levis (2020 Jesuit) – #27
With a near 4.0 GPA (3.96 to be exact), 27 on the ACT, and 1280 on the SAT, Levis has the academic resume to get into just about school in the country on that alone. But the 6-foot-1 senior can play some serious basketball as well and can probably do so at a high level. Levis – who would be on our all-Interview team – has long maintained that he would be willing to walk-on at a Division I school but is also entertaining a number of Division II suitors at this point in time.
Kobe Withers (2020 Sprague) – #28
Withers has some tremendous academic credentials in the state for a hoops player with a 3.93 GPA and 1240 SAT test score. But the 5-foot-11 guard can also definitely play the game at a high level as he’s the master of the pull-up jumper and he plays hard on both ends. In many ways Withers is still very much under the radar but with Sprague projected to have a big year, he should be able to pick up more recruiting interest during the season.
Steven Long (2020 Tigard) – #62
We profiled Long in the New Faces appearing in the Class of 2020 rankings. What we didn’t expand on there is how high-level of an academic performer he is as he has maintained a 4.15 GPA and scored 26 on the ACT. Redlands, Lewis & Clark, and others have already been in touch and more will certainly come on board as he plays full-time on varsity at Tigard this season.
Connor McClean (2020 Mountainside) – #64
McClain has good size and athleticism for a wing at 6-foot-5 and the grades/test scores to match at 3.86/1170. The senior is still trying to put things completely together on the basketball floor and getting an chance to do that with new scenery at Mountainside could be the trick to getting him the right opportunity at the next level.