Recruiting Roundup: Two More Big Time Players Ink Their Names To New Destinations
This past week two more top 2018 prospects inked their names to schools as they look to further their basketball careers at the next level. Lapwai’s Emmit Taylor III and Boise’s Paul Pennington, two of the very top guards in the state both made commitments to great basketball programs.
First, Emmit Taylor III, who we recently featured in our Spring Spotlight series, announced on Wednesday that he will be playing for North Idaho College next season.
I am proud and blessed to be able to announce that I will continue my education and basketball career at North Idaho College! I would like to thank everyone who has been apart of my journey and who has helped me to get where I am at right now. ???????????? #Committed #GoCardinals pic.twitter.com/OPz0xl6TAr
— Emmit Taylor III (@emmittIII) April 18, 2018
At 24.4 points per game, Taylor III proved he can score the ball in a number of ways last season and will look to take that talent to the next stage which we are confident he will find success. In our 2018 rankings Taylor III finished in the top 10 overall and was there all season. His skills did not go unnoticed as evidenced by a program such as NIC finding him as a fit for their squad. A back-to-back state champion, winning is in this kid’s DNA, big things ahead for him at NIC.
Boise’s Paul Pennington, whom we had ranked one slot above Emmit Taylor III in our final 2018 rankings also made his announcement in terms of furthering his basketball career.
It’s official @Pm_Pennington signs his letter to be a preferred walk on at Gonzaga! pic.twitter.com/XMgwWbfB0u
— BravesBoysBasketball (@BoiseHoops) April 19, 2018
Pennington will be a preferred walk on for one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the Pacific Northwest. Pennington has balled out at Boise for the past two seasons by putting up huge numbers but even more impressive was his on the court presence and leadership which was undeniable. Pennington earned First Team All 5A SIC honors at the end of year where he showed grit and determination playing in the state tournament on a hurt wheel. Pennington’s heart is never in question when he laces them up on the court.
Now, he will look to make his mark for the Bulldogs in Spokane, it will be interesting to follow his progress as he and Bishop Kelly’s Max Rice (arguably the top two guards in the state) will be preferred walk ons next season at the division I level.
Who’s left?
With the signings by Taylor III and Pennington, there are even less top 2018 prospects unsigned, yet, there are still a few names who we will be watching closely as their talent levels could translate very well at the next level.
Making our way down the 2018 rankings list, the next player in line following the top of the class is Hillcrest’s Derek Marlowe followed by Vallivue’s Steele Hadlock. Two extremely polished guard options that could make a real impact in a collegiate setting. In the championship game against Rocky Mountain Marlowe finished his prep career off with a 27 point effort and was routinely in our list of nominees for player of the week all season long.
Hadlock is one of the best shooters in the state from three point range and after seeing him a number of times up close this past season for the Falcons we thought he is a next level type of kid. Hadlock also earned First Team All 5A SIC honors like Pennington.
We are also keeping tabs on Burley’s Ryan Bagley, another top player in the 2018 class who has not announced his next move yet. Bagley finished the season as the Great Basin Player of the Year and was deserving of it. He dominated for Burley and was certainly a leader the team depended on often.
Those would be our next three to look at in terms of who might continue their basketball careers at the collegiate level moving forward, but as our 2018 rankings show, the class has plenty of options! We will do our best to keep you up to speed on all of the movement as the Spring season continues on.