The first two and a half months of travel ball have flown by at this point most teams have found their rhythm and built chemistry.
Players on various circuits have really blossomed and taken their games to new levels, and we're going to look at a handful prospects in the 2018 class who have played well and helped their stock on the recruitment trail.
Ian Steere- Club (Team Charlotte)
School (Wesleyan Christian)
I'm not sure anyone's stock has risen at the pace Steere's has the big man is dominating the UAA circuit for Team Charlotte this travel season. This guy is a force on both ends he runs the floor well, at the rim Steere is a strong finisher, and on D he's active blocking shots.
Steere is a good rebounder his huge physical stature allows him to bully opposing post players on the block. Team Charlotte utilizes him well Steere has been a featured part in the offense and it seems he's dunking every ball thrown down low.
The list of programs pursuing Steere goes on and on but he's proving his stock is buy now. So far Kansas, Florida St, UGA, and Clemson, are just a few suitors fighting for his talents his recruitment will continue to skyrocket over summer.
John Newman- Club (Team CP3)
School (Greensboro Day)
Newman has played really productive basketball for a loaded 17U Team CP3 squad he can do a little bit of everything. Offensively He's flashed a well-rounded arsenal Newman is accurate from college three point range, his pull up game is polished, and with a long athletic frame he's built to be an effective slasher.
The Greensboro product is smooth with the basketball he can weave in and out of defenses almost effortlessly. A host of ACC schools are after him, (Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest).
Newman is a gifted passer he sees the entire floor well and makes good decisions with the rock. A solid rebounder at the two position Newman is a true stat sheet stuffer, Newman isn't the top defender on the team but he's up for any challenge on that end. At 6'5 the young wing prospect is capable of strapping up on multiple positions.
Isaiah Wilkins- Club (Team CP3 16U)
School (MT Tabor)
Watching the transformation of Wilkins has been intriguing we're talking about a player whose confidence is at an all-time high right now. In a year he went from relatively unknown to being named the best player in the Northwest area of the state.
In his debut on the EYBL scene Wilkins has been impressive scoring the ball, he can shoot it well from just about anywhere off the catch and shoot he's automatic. The kid is a big physical guard with excellent body control and footwork. Wilkins put a lot of work in the gym over the last year his intangibles are advanced, he moves well without the ball coming off screens to get open and absorbs contact at the rim. Wilkins isn't super athletic but he has a nice crossover and is good knocking down shots off the dribble.
He can also post up on smaller guards and get easy points in the paint, Wilkins isn't a volume shooter either he does well scoring within the flow of the offense. High Point and Winthrop are scouting him the hardest right now.
Tripp Greene- Club (Team United)
School (Greensboro Day)
Basketball I.Q. is off the charts Greene is a point guard who doesn't turn the ball over or force the issue. He's one of those guys who wants to make the players around him better, Greene is a pass first guard but he has no problem getting off his own shot as well to beat the D. A player wise beyond his years he resembles a coach on the floor, Greene has played with older prospects for several years now so he has a very mature feel for the game.
For Team United on the EYBL Greene has been a good distributor and knockdown shooter from deep. Greene is excellent running the break but he can also succeed in half court sets. On defense he gives max effort guarding his man Greene can be pesky and force turnovers when he's really locked in.
Right now Boston University and Cornell are showing major interest Greene will be a stud lead guard at the next level if he finds the right system and personnel to fit in with.
Nate Hinton– Club (Team Loaded)
School (Gaston Day)
Nate Hinton has quietly morphed himself into one of the top rising point guards in the class, formerly known more of a combo guard Hinton has shown everything a coach wants in a lead guard so far during travel season.
He's always been a gifted scorer but now Hinton seems refocused on setting teammates up and rebounding the rock. On the Adidas Uprising Circuit Hinton has flashed averages of 10 points, six dimes, and four boards a game. This is a guy who can do whatever the team needs to win whether it's scoring in bunches or finding the open man.
Hinton has some mid major offers, (Temple, Tulsa), but with his newly honed point guard skills and 6'5 frame he's tracking as a rising high major prospect.
Anthony Hicks- Club (Team Winston)
School (North Forsyth)
The 6'5 guard has really come into his own after battling injuries his junior year at North, Hicks has been an integral part in Team Winston's impressive spring run. Against stiff competition Hicks has shown great poise and versatility for his side, he runs the point, plays on the wing, and even battles for boards down low when called on.
Hicks is most effective with the ball in his hands running the show, with his height it's easy to see over the defense and make clean passes. This past weekend at Big Shots event in Charlotte he did well guarding bigger players down low and shot the ball at a high percentage. Look for him to climb the Phenom Hoops top 100 currently Hicks is notched in at 36. Over the last two months App State, Hampton, and Liberty have been showing strong interest.
The North Forsyth product has the size and skill set to play at a major Division 1 program, there is a lot to like here expect the buzz to grow more and more.
All these players were listed in the top 40 of our latest 2018 rankings as of March every one of them have a good chance of surging upwards come fall when the next edition releases.
