Way Too Early Names to Know: Class of 2022
• David Thomas – Creekside Christian / Atlanta Celtics
David Thomas- Thomas has a high school varsity basketball player’s mindset on the floor and his physical qualities aren’t far off from having an impact on that level also. He is the ideal point guard for any head coach as he makes the game easy for teammates to go along with more than enough offensive prowess to take over games as well. His handle is air tight; working the pick & roll flawlessly and finished with ease at the basket with acrobatic spin moves at Atlanta Invitational, a recent middle school showcase. He was undoubtedly the most impressive player at the showcase and if he continues to develop at the rate he’s currently on, he’ll be a name to watch out for in Georgia for the next few years.
• Kaden McArthur – Grayson / Elite Strong Black
This North Atlanta prospect has a smoothness about his game that you don’t see in a lot of high school players. McArthur is a lefty that has a fantastic pull-up game off the dribble from the mid-range area with an equally impressive stroke from behind the arc. He knows how to play with pace and get into the lane and was a key contributor for Elite Strong Black all weekend long.
• Sterling Henderson – Kell / ATL Big 5
o Henderson was one of the best two-way players at Atlanta Invitational and that will make it tough to keep him off the floor heading into his high school campaign. Sterling was the best player on the best team at Atlanta Invitational, ATL Big 5, and he was consistent on the offensive end while guarding opposing teams’ best offensive threat. He has good length for his age and can play either guard position when in the half-court on offense. He thrived at getting to the rim and had a knock down jumper from the free throw line area as well.
• Jalen Carruth – Langston Hughes / Team Powell
o Carruth, son of former Kentucky Wildcat Rashaad Carruth, was a big-time defender for Team Powell at Atlanta Invitational this past weekend. He knows how to impact the game without scoring the ball but did enough on the offensive end to make an impact there as well. He has a stringy 6’4” frame with long arms and it was present all weekend. He is a good finisher from 5 feet and closer and will be entering a program coming off back to back state championships in Georgia’s second largest classification in Langston Hughes. That winning pedigree should bode well for him throughout his high school career and he should be a contributor early if the Panthers are in need of a legitimate shot blocking threat.
• Malcolm Carlisle – Faith Christian Academy / Alabama Kings
o Carlisle is a flat-out go getter on the basketball floor and willed the 14U Georgia Kings to several victories at Atlanta Invitational. The incoming freshman has good size and physique in his young age and did a good job of finishing through contact on both sides of the rim. He excels in fast paced type games and did a good job of playing fast but under control in his attack. Carlisle plays the game the right way for the duration of the game and that combined with a high basketball IQ will separate him from the rest going in to high school and the class of 2022.