The evaluation process for high school basketball players is similar to the majority of sports. The combination of performance, translatable tools/skills, and comparison to others from the same archetype is part of how we make these conclusions. Add in trends and what history has shown us, and it’s pretty basic. If Player A is better than Player B, yet Player B has more offers, then yeah, there’s a window to advocate for the theoretical “better player” to have more action within their recruitment. There’s no need to overthink this topic. Each kid’s recruitment is different, but claiming that players should have more offers is nothing new. It’s actually strange that two sides even exist in this situation, especially given how many times we’ve seen guys blow up after travel ball or during the course of the high school season. That being said, let’s look at five rising seniors who should warrant increased attention over the coming months…
6’6 Ari Fulton (Westover)
Although he claims more offers than everyone else on this list, Ari Fulton is still among the more under-recruited guys across North Carolina. Props to Hampton, Presbyterian, East Carolina, and Arkansas State for already getting involved, but his blend of size, skill, athleticism, and two-way versatility should appeal to all types of programs. The 6-foot-6 wing/forward shined as a focal point for Team Curry during the summer. Fulton consistently defends multiple positions, outrebounds bigger opponents, and does a healthy amount of everything offensively. Given his IQ, strength, and ball skills, he’s comfortable operating inside the paint, around the high post, and along the perimeter. Fulton is also physically overwhelming and possesses an excellent nose for the ball. He’s the type of player who should see his offer sheet expand considerably going forward.
6’10 Wyatt DeGraaf (Cary Academy)
Generally speaking, college coaches tend to have a justifiable reason for not recruiting someone, but it feels like there’s been no real explanation with Wyatt DeGraaf. At 6-foot-10, the strong, fluid, explosive big man has a clear path to being a game-changing piece for a variety of different programs. He possesses a tough, straightforward identity on both ends of the floor. DeGraaf effectively runs the two-man game as a screener, where he’s excellent at rolling and finishing through contact but can also pop out and space the floor occasionally. He’s a useful post-up option with solid vision and quality touch around the basket. Defensively, DeGraaf earns a lot of his value through anchoring the paint as a rebounder and rim-protector. He plays with constant physicality and doesn’t shy away from opponents on either end of the floor. DeGraaf should be a target for a ton of schools.
6’2 Evan Morton (United Faith)
There are so many talented players in the state, but isn’t one person who can say Evan Morton should hold zero offers. It’s genuinely shocking. Morton consistently earned headlines during his time with Virginia Premier (in addition to being a focal point on a state championship contender), yet will start his high school season as one of the most under-recruited prospects in North Carolina. He’s a smart, crafty, heady guard with the ability to reliably initiate the offense or apply scoring pressure from all three levels. Morton is a confident creator who utilizes his quickness and tight handle to generate space and convert in a variety of different ways. He contains his position well defensively and rebounds at a solid rate for his size. Expect him to see an uptick in his recruitment, as Morton should simply have more offers.
6’2 Caden Bell (NC GBB)
After seeing many of his teammates collecting offers, it feels like Caden Bell deserves increased attention from college coaches. There’s something incredibly comforting about the steady, reliable two-way presence he provides as a floor general. Bell offers a balanced offensive approach with IQ, vision, and the ability to score within the flow of the action. He’s a rugged defender at the point of attack, displaying quickness, positioning, and great anticipation for forcing turnovers. Bell does the dirty work and consistently makes hustle plays, but can also assert himself and expand his production whenever necessary. He shouldn’t be punished for his willingness to take less for the betterment of the team, as his unselfish nature will make him a seamless fit wherever he decides to further his playing career.
6’5 Jordan Patton (Chambers)
Given everything he’s showcased over the recent months, it’s extremely shocking that more schools haven’t extended scholarships to Jordan Patton. The appeal of a strong, explosive 6-foot-5 wing/forward with feel, toughness, and two-way versatility should be fairly obvious. Patton possesses the skillset of a perimeter player (with interior ability), yet has the size and strength to battle with opposing big men—regularly making him a matchup problem. He handles the ball, makes smart passes, and is capable of mixing it up offensively. Patton is at his best when getting downhill and attacking the basket, but can also cut, post up, or knock down jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. He rebounds his position and applies quality pressure in transition, both with and without the ball in his hands. Expect Patton to be a priority for various programs during the upcoming season.