2020 preview: Mr. Basketball candidates in Division II
It’s never too early to start looking towards next season. There’s talent in the private school leagues, and there will be talent in both leagues next season. The talent level will be just as high as it was this season.…
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Continue ReadingIt’s never too early to start looking towards next season.
There’s talent in the private school leagues, and there will be talent in both leagues next season. The talent level will be just as high as it was this season.
With the Division I Boys State Tournaments on pause due to a world pandemic, let’s take look at returning players who should go into next season as Mr. Basketball candidates.
Division II–A
Moussa Cisse, Lausanne
There were rumblings about the 6-foot-11 big man possibly reclassifying to the 2020 class, but his head coach Marvis Davis confirmed to me weeks ago that Cisse will be returning to the Lynx. He won this season’s Mr. Basketball award, and Cisse was well deserving of it. He averaged 21 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.1 blocks per game for Lausanne. Cisse recorded 17 triple-doubles and was one block away from one (15 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks) in his team’s 54-44 win over FACS for the state title.
Heading into the 2020 season, Cisse will be the frontrunner to win the award, again.
Patrick Smith Jr., Goodpasture
Smith finished up his junior season averaging 18 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals per game. He has a knack for scoring and shoots the ball at a high clip. Smith is an underrated passer and defender. If he can put up these numbers in his senior season, Smith could be a Mr. Basketball finalist.
Kameron Jones Kameron Jones 6'4" | PG ECS | 2021 State #177 Nation TN , ECS
Jones averaged 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game for the Eagles. He’s a difficult task because he’s a left-handed point guard. Jones has solid court vision and smooth handles. He’s also very entertaining to watch. Jones should be fun to watch again next season.
Honorable mention
Braeden Moore, CPA
Moore just finished up his sophomore season with the Lions. At 6-8, Moore can shoot the 3. He has a high basketball IQ. Moore plays within CPA’s system and never forces a shot or pass. He will definitely be in consideration for the award.
Division II-AA
BJ Edwards, Knoxville Catholic
Edwards is coming off a nice sophomore season. He was a Mr. Basketball finalist and led the Fighting Irish to a state championship. The 6-2 point guard averaged 19.3 points, six assists and three steals per game, while shooting 56.4 percent from the field. This could be the beginning of big things to come for Edwards, who holds offers from Tennessee and Georgetown.
Chandler Jackson, Christian Brothers
The 6-4 point guard showed progression on the offensive end this season. Jackson didn’t rely solely on driving to the basket. He knocked down shots from the perimeter. Jackson made 52 percent of his shots from the field. He averaged 18.6 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block per game for the Purple Wave. Jackson led the program to the semifinals round of the state tournament. Cracking the top three as a Mr. Basketball finalist isn’t far fetched for Jackson.
Kennedy Chandler
Kennedy
Chandler
6'1" | PG
Sunrise Chrisitan | 2021
State
#14
Nation
KS
, Briarcrest
This season, Chandler placed his name in elite company, winning two Mr. Basketball awards, joining former Saints Austin Nichols and Leslie McDonald after averaging 22 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. The 6-1 point guard will have another chance next season to add another Mr. Basketball trophy to his resume. He could become the first to win three at Briarcrest. Kennedy does everything at the point guard spot. He has a high basketball IQ, shoots a high clip from the free throw line and can knock down the 3. Kennedy isn’t a bad defender and has solid court vision. The Saints are losing Michael Malone Jr., Marcellus Brigham Jr., Omari Thomas and Rodney Newsom, so Briarcrest will need to put a solid supporting cast around Kennedy not only for another Mr. Basketball award, but for another trip to the state tournament.