6’10” 2018 Jake Lanford
Porter Gaud / TMP Elite 17s
By Jamie Shaw
Lanford is a throwback type of big man. He is incredibly vocal as the anchor of the defense and he play on offense with his back to the basket. Lanford is a high academic kid and walks onto the floor, passing the look test.
Lanford is already quite an accomplished player. During his junior year Lanford won a state championship (chosen All-Tournament), made the All-State team and was voted 1st Team All-Low Country. While watching him in the state playoffs we wrote, “We love what Jake Lanford does around the rim. He is a strong 2-handed rebounder, has great hands & feet and is explosive.”
Playing both high school and travel ball with a pair of Top 150 prospects, Lanford can tend to fall under the radar. However, he really caught our eyes playing in the 2016 Phenom’s National Showcase where we wrote, “After watching him in Phenom’s National Showcase this November we wrote, “Lanford is a big body, who continues to get better each time out. He shows great hands and good vertical athleticism on the blocks. Lanford showed a nice right hand jump hook to go along with multiple dunks on the blocks. He even caught a body, jumping off vert. Lanford shows good timing while blocking shots, playing his man in the post, straight up.”
The high academic Lanford already carries seven (7) Division 1 offers from the likes of Austin Peay, Wofford, UNF, Ga Southern, Furman, Cal Poly and Mercer. He is getting interest from schools across the board, from the A-10 to the Ivy Leagues. Expect that offer list to grow throughout April.
College Coaches – Make sure you get to Spartanburg, South Carolina on April 21-23 to watch Jake Lanford with his TMP Elite 17s team.