Outside Memphis Prospects
The city of Memphis draws families, media, and inevitably college coaches in with the justified basketball reputation. Every season over 40% of the top ten players in the state graduate from the Greater Memphis area. And yet, Memphis is not the only place with hoopers in West Tennessee.
Tonight PrepHoopsTN addresses the often overlooked talent outside the Memphis orbit, but still western.
West Tennessee and Class of 2018 sent Bryce McBride, Taeylr Gatlin, Rico Quinton on to college basketball programs. Parker Stewart launched his college career this recent winter with Pitt in the ACC.
2019 F Jamari Bostic (Ripley)
Ripley’s power forward gets some looks on the wing with Mid South Kings 17u. Bostic is bouncy in impatient pursuit of the missed shots. Kind of a tweener the 6-foot-5 combo forward teeters on the fence between D2 and low major prospect.
Bostic runs with the Mid-South Kings 17u team.
2020 WG P.J. Thompson (Fayette-Ware)
Fayette-Ware Assistant Coach Demarius Chearis recently raved about Phedoris Thompson.
“I have a kid in the Class of 2020 that will DEFINITELY make some noise next year,” shared Coach Chearis over Twitter. Coach Chearis is both the lead varsity assistant and the JV Head Coach. In other words he knows Thompson’s game well.
“He played behind Quatarius York, who was All-State his junior and senior years this year so he had to wait his turn,’ shared Coach Chearis. “His name is Phedoris “PJ” Thompson and he plays the SG position. As a freshman, he averaged 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. As a JV player, he averaged 27.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 2.3 spg a game. He will make some noise for Fayette-Ware this upcoming season.”
2020 F Markeston Douglas (Haywood)
Markeston “Smiley” Douglas sparkled with Team Thad 16u in Indianapolis. With Marvin Hughes at the helm, Douglas played above the rim and collected lob passes most of the time. Wildcat starter Douglas looks like a small forward or power forward at the next level.
Playing with toughness is not a problem. Douglas still needs to develop his handle, but Markeston can play with speed off the basketball.
Markeston Douglas and DeMarius Boyd comprise a D1-caliber duo at Haywood High in Brownsville, Tennessee.
2019 PG De’Marius Boyd (Haywood)
The 39th best player in 2019 class, DeMarius Boyd can get up and down the floor. Stronger and sturdier than his peers, Boyd earned an EKU offer from the departed staff. Also, UT Martin keeps tracking his progress.
2019 G Trey Trotter (Summertown)
Summertown put together a majestic 2017-2018 basketball season. Trey Trotter helped Head Coach Wes Long and the Eagles to a 24-7 record.
I’ve been blessed with some great teammates and some great coaches! I appreciate you all!🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/nF6YVhTzvQ
— Trey (@TrotterTrey) January 12, 2018
2019 F Tareq Williams (Sacred Heart)
The evolution of Williams depends upon his shift to wing. For players of his height is tough to demand wing playing time, but it is imperative to fully reach his basketball potential. Last summer Williams ran with M33M 16u.
2019 WG Dontae Williamson (Sacred Heart)
Still a top ten player in the Class of 2019, Dontae looks like a forward right now. His high school season showcased rebounding prowess. Can he evolve in to a DI wing? We will see. The Mid South Kings and Jamari Bostic benefit from Williamson’s presence.