At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around senior prospects. Last season, over fifty players from South Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight Clay Killoren of Spartanburg Day.
We’ve seen Killoren in basically every setting, including at SC 150 Camp, where we stated, “Finishing up with a player that really embraced his role throughout camp and should ultimately get looks as a college-level prospect, Clay Killoren. He’s a big man with nice strength and mobility. Offensively, he doesn’t force the action, but he will knock down shots from midrange and the short corner when open. Killoren is a determined rebounder, able to secure two and three boards on the same possession, before ultimately finishing the second-chance opportunity himself. He’s a true hustle player with a clear desire to do anything possible to gain extra possession for his team. Next in his development process is working on his ability to handle the ball, as it would allow him to do more in transition and possibly create scoring chances for himself. Coach Blue on Killoren: “Clay really understands his niche as a rebounder. He does all the little things extremely well in order to set up his teammates for success. Clay has excellent intangibles and exudes leadership qualities.” Killoren could be a candidate to enjoy a breakout junior season after his performance at camp.
Despite a middle of the road finish (11-15), Killoren still showcased an identity that could mesh with any collection of teammates. He plays extremely hard and naturally affects the action on both ends of the floor. Killoren is a great rebounder with the ability to overwhelm opponents through his size, energy, and utilization of his body. He runs the floor well in transition and can finish above or below the rim with either hand. His averages of 8.4 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 2.8 BPG should speak volumes to the type of role Killoren can maximize.