2018 Final Rankings: Best Available Prospects
Many of the top players in our 2018 rankings have already verbally committed or signed with the colleges of their choice but there are plenty of young men who are still deciding between college offers or looking for their first ones. Here’s a look at the best senior prospects who are still available that we didn’t already cover in our positional breakdowns earlier this week:
Zan Payne, Lexington Catholic – Payne is probably known more for being the son of Kentucky Assistant Coach Kenny Payne than for anything else these days. College coaches are missing out on a really good young player. Zan is young for his class and after suffering a season ending injury in February, he may benefit most from a year at a Prep School if he is healthy enough. Zan has a warrior’s mentality and will be a great pickup for some college when he ultimately enrolls.
Malik Wright, John Hardin – Super athletic, Malik is a combo guard who is gradually transitioning to the point guard role. Wright is at his best in transition and could be a great fit for a team that plays at frantic pace. Malik is playing the spring AAU season as an unsigned senior and could eventually go prep or junior college. Georgetown College has offered previously.
Trey Hill, PRP – One of the top ranked players in the class for several years, Hill tumbled down the rankings due to injuries and inconsistent play over his high school career. The 6’4 Combo Guard could be an impact player in the right college system. Trey is a full qualifier and can be a good pickup for a school this late in the recruiting process.
Justin Mitchell, Frederick Douglass – Mitchell is an athletic wing who showed signs of starting to reach his potential over the course of his senior season at Lexington’s newest high school. At his best with the ball in his hands, Mitchell went into attack mode in several games this year and showed the ability to score at every level. Mitchell could be a candidate to go to Junior College then be D1 a year from now.
Devin Young, South Oldham – Standing 6’6 and capable of getting on fire from downtown, Young showed himself to be a big time shooter. Averaging just over 21 points per game in his senior year for the Dragons, Young could be a fit at the D2 or NAIA levels.
Terrance Clayton-Muphy, Bryan Station – TCM is a good athlete who is capable of playing either guard spot. The ascendance of Bryan Station teammate Eric Boone took some of Clayton-Murphy’s shine this year as Boone overshadowed a solid senior campaign for Terrance. Clayton-Murphy would be a solid addition to a D2 or NAIA team looking for a point guard this late in the recruiting cycle.
Others to Know:
Stephen “Shorty” Cager, Hopkinsville
Micale Mee, Warren Central
Glenn Queen, Fairdale
Hunter Stevens, Southwestern
Tony Rogers, Fern Creek