We see a lot of basketball in our travels, we watch high school games, travel ball games, and camps. We talk to a lot of coaches daily, we have over 150 scholarship carrying schools who subscribe to our NCAA compliant written and video scouting service.
In constant communication with hundreds of college coaches about thousands of high school prospects, sometimes we just don’t understand why a player isn’t getting recruited at a higher level. We mean, we understand the limitations which coaches may see, but what we don’t understand is why do these limitations factor into the specific player.
A perfect case in point of this is Dakota Jennings of Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina. Sure he is a 6’5” forward, not optimal size, but once you take a look at his production and what he does, the thought of limitations should go by the way side.
Jennings is in the conversation as the most explosively athletic player in entire the state of South Carolina. He is routinely seen above the rim, catching lobs and flushing put back dunks. He has that momentum changing type of bounce that brings everyone to their feet asking their pals, “did you just see that'!” With that explosion, Jennings is also very strong, carry a sturdy 200 pounds on his 6’5” frame. Not only is Jennings very strong, and very athletic, he is also has a very long wing span.
So, as you can see, the fact he is lengthy, strong, and ridiculously explosive should negate the fact he is 6’5”. If that description does not necessarily do it for you, perhaps a description of his game and stats will. After watching him play last night, in a highly competitive 4A conference game against Hartsville, Jennings finished with 17 points, 13 blocks, and 11 boards. Against a team with multiple D1 and D2 prospects, Jennings finished with a triple/double which included 13 blocks and 11 boards.
His 17 points were intriguing too. He finished 3-4 from the free throw line and 7-9 from the field. He made 2 18 foot jump shots, 2 finishes at the rim off the bounce from the wing, and with 3 monster dunks (1 put back and 2 alley-oops). It was a pretty diverse showing.
Jennings is an alum of the prestigious South Carolina Top 80 exposure camp. This camp brings together the best players in the state of South Carolina, so they can compete against one another, not only for pride but so they can be seen by nationally read scouts, media, and college coaches. After his performance in this year’s event we stated, “Jennings is a High Flyer who can out jump anybody. He protects the basket, grabs rebounds, and adds that low post presence on the offense end. He’s no big man by any means, but with his body size and jumping ability he plays the role well. He can dribble to create for himself, and carries an improved jumper. This season he should grab some offers with his ability and potential to be a solid wing at the next level. This season he will look to help Crestwood reach their title hopes.”
After his outbreak performance in this same event, his camp coach stated, “Dakota has good size for his position. Can score in a variety of ways. Has a good outside jumper and also finishes well inside. Rebounded the ball well for his position as well. Handled the ball well in the open court.”
Right now he is being recruited by local D2 schools Claflin and Coker. With the type of production he is providing, that list should grow. He can make plays.