2021 prospects with upward mobility, pt. I
The prospects listed below have outstanding skill-sets that, with some improvements, could rise significantly in the next year. Marlo Fox Marlo Fox 6'0" | PG Sand Springs | 2021 State OK | PG | Sand Springs / No. 13 Has: Needs:…
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Continue ReadingThe prospects listed below have outstanding skill-sets that, with some improvements, could rise significantly in the next year.
Marlo Fox Marlo Fox 6'0" | PG Sand Springs | 2021 State OK | PG | Sand Springs / No. 13
Has: | Needs: |
Athleticism, shooting capabilities, finishing against defense, big-time play | To rise to the occasion. |
Fox had an outstanding junior season, impressing scouting reporters like myself with unprecedented play. He went on scoring runs and, most importantly, did it when the Sandites needed him most — in big games against gargantuan opponents. However, he often had to resign to a subservient role to teammate Davon Richardson Davon Richardson 6'3" | SG Sand Springs | 2020 State #489 Nation OK (2020), who was an equally talented scorer. As Richardson moves on to Central Oklahoma, an offensive vacuum will inevitably develop in Sand Springs’ offense. With the scoring he has already produced, if Fox can capitalize on some of Richardson’s share, he could rise in the state-wide recruiting spotlight by a tall margin.
Abraham Aghasedo Abraham Aghasedo 6'8" | C Edmond North | 2021 State OK | C | Edmond North / No. 16
Has: | Needs: |
Height, stature, developing footwork | Conditioning, (more) skills training |
The sizable Aghasedo has made significant improvements to his game: namely skill development, increased aggression and confidence; all thanks his own perseverance and some assistance from coaching. The jump he made from his sophomore to junior season boosted him into top-twenty status in Oklahoma, but his recruiting has been mostly untapped. He is raw, but he is much more developed than he was one year ago. A jump of similar trajectory could put Aghasedo over the top and into standing of one of the most sought-after forwards in the state. To continue his rise to prominence as a recruit, Aghasedo will need to develop more explosive energy (lateral movement, jumping, physiological size) and post-scoring intuition — the sharpness to generate scoring opportunities and adapt to defenders that comes with practice and polishing his game. He has the capacity to become unstoppable within Oklahoma.
Jeff Nwankwo Jeff Nwankwo 6'5" | PF Putnam City North | 2021 State OK | SF | Putnam City North / No. 17
Has: | Needs: |
Multi-level scoring, height, shooting, explosive energy | Post-skills, aggression, resistance training |
Nwankwo has many of the tangible skills and physical traits that Division-I schools want in a player. He can shoot the ball, move to the mid-range and generate shots for himself, and elevate above the rim to flush away the rock above defenders. He’s smart, aware on the floor and, if you give hi a little daylight to gather, one of the most dangerous players in the ’21 class. If you read his needs column above, however, you probably already have an idea of where we’re taking this: he needs to lock his post-game down if he wants to play at the highest level of college basketball. That transition will need to include development in a few areas: improved strength, flexibility, conditioning and skill-related training to convert on shots with his back to the bucket more frequently than he has previously showcased. Further, he will need to be prepared to compete against bodies to finish those shots, rather than hands. If he can incorporate the bottom level into his game with an already established perimeter attack, Nwankwo can be playing on T.V. in a couple years.