There are countless instances in grassroots basketball where a player can be undeniably productive in various settings for a prolonged period of time, yet receive little to no attention from college coaches. That appears to be exactly the case with DJ Cuttino of Hickory Grove and Mint Hill Lakers, who shined throughout the summer and seamlessly transitioned into a leadership role during the current season. This article will highlight some of the glowing remarks that were written throughout the previous months and then attempt to understand why it hasn’t resulted in offers…
We saw Cuttino countless times throughout the summer, including at our Stay Positive, where we stated, “While there’s always a variety of standouts for the Mint Hill Lakers, Cuttino is a guy who probably doesn’t get enough credit for his smooth, steady game. He’s smart, playing up, and continues to show a high level of comfortability when running a team. Cuttino is a reliable shooter, playmaker, and defender that only seems to make a positive impact on the court.”That was followed by our most recent game report, where we stated, “While Stinson was arguably their most productive player, Cuttino should certainly be regarded as their most consistent performer from start to finish. He simply provided a smart, steady, tough two-way presence with an efficient scoring sense from anywhere within the arc. Cuttino touched the paint with ease, hit pull-up jumpers, and rebounded very well for his size. He stood out as a leader on both ends of the floor and truly rose to the occasion when his primary running mate went down with an injury in the midst of crunch time. There were times when Cuttino was the best player on the floor, and college coaches should continue to take notice.”
So, given his abilities and sheer consistency, Cuttino should be firmly on the radar of college coaches throughout the next calendar year. He displays a quality understanding for the game, particularly as a scorer, defender, and playmaker. Cuttino can mix up his approach based on team need, offering a very balanced offensive presence and simply finding ways to produce. He forces turnovers at a steady rate, defends his position well, rebounds effectively for his size, and makes useful decisions in transition. Although he’s just a junior, it’s clear that Cuttino will ultimately play at the next level and college coaches should act accordingly moving forward.