Alabama College Coaches Report ‘Unsigned Seniors’
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In the first report of the Alabama College Coaches Report, we discuss several unsigned seniors who are having impactful years and are seeing their stock rise as they navigate the recruiting process. The purpose of this report is to…
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Continue ReadingIn the first report of the Alabama College Coaches Report, we discuss several unsigned seniors who are having impactful years and are seeing their stock rise as they navigate the recruiting process.
The purpose of this report is to offer more information for college coaches about standouts that are in our state.
Corey Stephenson (6’5/Shooting Guard/2022)
School: Hueytown HS
Instagram: Stbcorey
Twitter: @Stbcorey
GPA: 3.0
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: Alabama State; Pensacola State; Colby CC; Shelton State; Snead State CC; Bevill State
Point of Contact: Robin Jones (Mother) 205.565.9440
What Are You Getting?
Corey is one of the most prolific scorers in the state. He gets it done at all levels. Has the frame to build upon in the weight room. He has the ability to get playing time early and contribute. He is gaining a lot of interest from schools, and it is safe to say that his stock is rising as he continues to impress during his senior campaign. Sources say he may end up going the JUCO route, but he isn’t the type of talent to pass on based on the word on the streets.
Marquavias ’Tay’ Knox (6’7/Center/2022)
School: Charles Henderson HS
Instagram: Itsss.tay6k
Twitter: @ITay6k
GPA: 3.3
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: Voorhees College; Alabama State; Enterprise State; Paine College; Wallace State CC; Gadsden State CC; Catawba College
Point of Contact: Marquavias Knox 334.282.4722
What Are You Getting?
Tay is an athletic yet undersized post when you start thinking about his game at the next level. I was surprised with the listed 6’7 as he looked taller when I saw him early in the season. If the 6’7 is accurate, he will need some time to continue developing on both ends of the court. He needs to expand his face-up game and attack off the bounce and add somewhat of a dimension in being able to play on the perimeter. With his current size and weight, he could possibly be exposed having to defend post players that are taller and outweigh him. Despite the needed development in certain areas, he does have size and length, uses his athleticism on the glass and when contesting shots, and runs the floor extremely hard. Have not heard much about his possible path, but he is a talent to take a look at.
Anthony Johnson (6’4/Guard/2022)
School: Midfield HS
Instagram: PigGlizzy
Twitter: @Luhamp1
GPA: 2.5
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: University of Mobile; Colby CC; Shelton State; Alabama State; Bevill State; Gadsden State; Wallace (Selma)
Point of Contact: Courtney Jones (High School Coach) 205.447.9736
What Are You Getting?
When it comes to size, Anthony has a slim build and will need to get stronger and bulk up for play at the next level. He has a thin frame with a lot of bounce as he will bring athleticism to a backcourt. When it comes to the ability to put up numbers, he can score with the best of them. He is a player that can get you double digits in the scoring column night in and night out. Despite the initial first look at his frame, he will bring a level of toughness to a program. Sources say JUCO is going to, more than likely, be his route.
Jamal Adrian Jordan (6’0/Guard/2022)
School: Leeds HS
Instagram: Jamaljordan22
Twitter: @Jamaljordan22
GPA: 3.0
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: None
Point of Contact: Jamal Jordan 205.667.4808
What Are You Getting?
Jamal is a solid combo guard whose strength is facilitating. When the ball is in his hands, he is a reliable source to run the show. He balances between scoring and facilitating right now, but at the next level has the capacity to move into a more traditional PG role that can score when opportunities present themselves. Recruitment has been slow for Jamal, but coaches are showing interest. For a coach looking for a solid PG for their program, he is worth looking to see if he is a fit. I haven’t heard much regarding his path, but he is definitely worth a look.
Jacari Lane Jacari Lane 5'11" | NA lbs | PG Lee-Huntsville | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (6’0/Guard/2022)
School: Lee-Huntsville HS
Instagram: Jacarilane5
Twitter: @Jacari_lane5
GPA: 2.9
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: North Alabama; Alabama State
Point of Contact: Jacari Lane Jacari Lane 5'11" | NA lbs | PG Lee-Huntsville | 2022 State #NA Nation AL 256.520.4782
What Are You Getting?
One thing about Jacari is that he is a winner and will bring a winning mindset to a program. He can score the rock but is just as equally good facilitating. He is a competitor that brings it night in and night out. He may not come in as your starting PG unless some situations open the door for him to be that, but it is safe to say that he will be competing for that starting spot by his sophomore year. I don’t know much about his recruitment and his path, but he is a player worth a look.
Jaylen Darnell Curry (6’4/Small Forward/2022)
School: Hazel Green HS
Instagram: jaylencurry.22
Twitter: @JaylenCurry3
GPA: 3.4
ACT: 18
Offers: Snead State CC; Military Institute; Gadsden State CC; Huntingdon College
Point of Contact: Jeremy Crutcher (High School Coach) 256.326.4550
What Are You Getting?
Jaylen has a unique skill set and is one of the best that I have seen when it comes to getting it done with the mid-range J, as that is his go-to on the offensive end. He has good size to be able to settle into a more permanent guard spot at the next level. He can put up numbers and can fill it up quickly. He has a solid frame that he can build upon in the weight room. He has the ability to come in and contribute early offensively but made need a little time to adjust on the defensive end when guarding quicker guards. I don’t know much about his path, but he is not a player to look pass.
Aaron Devine (5’10 / Point Guard / 2022)
School: Mortimer Jordan HS
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
GPA: 3.7
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: Bevill State CC
Point of Contact: Aaron Devine (Father) 205.285.0616
What Are You Getting?
Aaron is a guard that can stroke it from behind the arc. Now many players shoot it well from deep, but Aaron is a player that shoots it at a high percentage. He is a combo guard that can help at the next level at both guard spots. As mentioned, he can shoot the trey ball, and he likes to get out in transition and put pressure on the rim. He brings a lot when he steps on the court, as he can be a facilitator, knock down the open trey, is a trusted ball-handler, and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Sources say that JUCO will be his route.
Reese Gurner Reese Gurner 6'1" | NA lbs | PG Vestavia Hills | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (6’2/Point Guard/2022)
School: Vestavia Hills HS
Instagram: reese_gurner
Twitter: @GurnerReese
GPA: 3.4
ACT/SAT: Scheduled to test.
Offers: Birmingham Southern; Huntingdon College; Covenant College, Ottawa University.
Point of Contact: Patrick Davis (High School Coach) 205.602.9812; Branham Daniels (AAU Coach) 256.694.5303
What Are You Getting?
Reese has been one of the biggest surprises this season. It is safe to say that he has blossomed late. He plays with a ton of confidence and has seen his stock rise this year. He has gained a lot of interest from schools, and there is the possibility of more coming as he continues his high-level play this year. He can shoot it and put it on the deck to create for himself and others. D1 is a stretch but playing at the next level is not. He will bring a lot of energy and passion to a program and could be one of the best steals in this class for whoever takes the chance on him. I spoke to Reese’s dad, and he is excited about how the recruitment process is unfolding; there is no clear-cut path right now with his direction, but he is a player to take a look at.
Calen Lightford Calen Lightford 5'11" | NA lbs | PG Sparkman | 2022 State #NA Nation AL (5’11/Point Guard/2022)
School: Sparkman HS
Instagram: clightf0rd
Twitter: @CalenLightford
GPA: 3.9
ACT: 22
Offers: Detroit Mercy; Alabama State; Flagler; Tuskegee; Lander
Point of Contact: Danny Servick (AAU Coach) 256.527.1283; Jamie Coggins (High School Coach) 256.694.4614
What Are You Getting?
Calen has emerged as one of the top PGs in the state. He is the epitome of the coach on the floor and has a terrific skill set. Whoever lands Calen is getting a solid young man on and off the court. He will have to get stronger for the next level, but his IQ is ready for the stage. He is a culture-improving prospect that brings a winning mentality, something you look for from your floor general. Have not spoken to anyone regarding his path, but he is having a solid senior year deserving more looks.
For more information about players in this report, please contact me at: terry@prephoopsnext.com.