2022 class: 5 players that are heating up
Offers started rolling out to a handful of prospects in the 2022 class. For other prospects, they’re itching closer to notoriety. Last weekend was a big one for some of Tennessee’s best players in the 2022 class. Here are five…
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Continue ReadingOffers started rolling out to a handful of prospects in the 2022 class.
For other prospects, they’re itching closer to notoriety.
Last weekend was a big one for some of Tennessee’s best players in the 2022 class.
Here are five prospects that are heating up.
Malik Dia Malik Dia 6'9" | PF Ensworth | 2022 State #210 Nation TN , Team Thad : It was only a matter of time before the 6-foot-8 forward picked up his first Division 1 offer. Dia is a late bloomer, but he sprouted in time to pick up an offer from TCU after a great showing in Atlanta, Georgia at an On The Radar event. Viewers had a chance to see how well Dia can run the floor, finish at the rim and contest shots at the rim.
Dia’s skillset is built to be solid combo forward at the next level.
Dia said to me via Twitter about his offer that “It was awesome. My adrenaline was running, and I had a sense of relief that all my hard work isn’t going unseen. It’s honestly a true blessing.”
By the end of the summer, Dia should have more offers. Tennessee has recently contacted him, but the forward doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.
His goal is see stay level-headed.
“I’m going to keep doing me,” Dia said. “I’m going to keep getting better along way, but I’m not satisfied until the dream is accomplished.”
Chandler Jackson Chandler Jackson 6'5" | CG Christian Brothers | 2022 State #87 Nation TN , Team Thad : Jackson has been heavily recruited since his freshman season at Christian Brothers High School. The spotlight is nothing new to him. And when the bright lights are on, the 6-5 combo guard comes to play. Jackson had 19 points in a 97-86 win over BMaze Elite 17U. After the event, the junior picked up offers from George Mason and Memphis. Jackson is still being heavily recruited by 10-plus Power 5 programs.
“It’s been real exciting,” Jackson said about the recruiting process. Everyday, I talk to, at least, one coach, so it’s been fun. Every time a coach calls, I think they’re offering me, but, you know, I just have to have patience and just know everything is going to fall into place.”
Jackson probably isn’t done picking up offers if he continues to have a productive summer.
Micah Simpson Micah Simpson 6'0" | PG Morristown East | 2022 State TN , Tennessee Bobcats : The 6-0 point guard averaged 14 points and eight assists in the On The Radar Sweet 16 event last weekend. He hit two game winners. Simpson has the makings of a D1 guard. He has great court vision, knows how to make the right pass and plays hard on both ends of the floor.
Simpson’s goal is simple: Pick up three D1 offers and be one of the top players in the class.
For those who didn’t know, Simpson is a two-sport athlete. He plays wide receiver at Morristown East High School. Last season, he had 35 catches for 821 yards and 15 touchdowns. Simpson averaged 23.5 yards per catch.
Simpson always thinks about playing both sports in college, but “my goal is most likely to pick only one sport.”
Simpson, who averaged 20 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 3.0 rebounds in 24 games last season, doesn’t know which sport he wants to pursue in college.
Luckily, he’s good in both.
Justin Morgan Justin Morgan 6'6" | SG Memphis Nighthawks | 2022 State TN , Team Thad : Morgan has had the biggest week of any prospect in the state. He shot lights out from 3 last weekend and his offensive prowess turned into offers from Memphis, TCU, Tennessee Tech and Furman. The 6-6 wing is one of the best in the state. He can score from different areas on the floor. Morgan is very patient on offense, values the opportunity to take great shots. A productive summer is only going to boost his college looks. Like Dia, Morgan is a late bloomer, with the drive to get everyone’s attention.
Grant Strong Grant Strong 6'4" | SG Clay County | 2022 State TN , Tennessee Bobcats : Strong had a productive weekend for his AAU team. He had 23 points, nine assists and four rebounds in an overtime win over AOT. Strong is picking up where he left off in the state tournament. He’s a natural scorer, with an elegant, sharp shooting stroke. At 6-4, the junior is a pretty good ball handler, with enough shift to get into the lane. Belmont and Western Kentucky are high on Strong right now. Offers should come rolling in soon.