David Rose MDC Player Profile
A Future Role Model
6’5 ’19 Josh Nickelberry (Team Loaded 15U)
At the 3rd Annual NC Top 80 this past March, 6’5 freshman Josh Nickelberry averaged 19.3 PPG and made the All Camp Second Team. We wrote the following, “Remember the name, Josh Nickelberry, in our opinion will be in the national conversation as one of the high tier players in his class. Yes, he is that good! Josh has it all. He has tremendous athleticism, advanced skill set and a model student in the classroom.” Josh sports an amazing 3.9 GPA.
This past weekend at the David Rose Memorial Day Classic, he averaged 18.3 PPG in three games and led his Team Loaded to a perfect 3-0 record playing up in the 16U age division. For the three day event, Josh knocked down 11 three pointers and had six three pointers along with a game high 24 points against Manzer 16U team. First of all, Josh can score from all levels on the court. He has tremendous 3-point shooting ability, but also sports a nice midrange game along with the ability to punish the rims on power drives to the basket. Although Josh averaged 18.3 PPG, he is also a solid playmaker, but what really makes him special is his unselfishness and humbleness on the court.
One cannot help but be impressed with his positive body language on and off the court. While he has an “elite level” game and is tracking as a high major plus prospect, you would never know by his actions. He is very poised and has such a mature approach to the game. He is so well grounded and his talent is not often seen for someone his grade or age. All that being said, it’s his approach on and off the court that is so remarkable. Josh plays with such “quiet confidence” and never once comes across as being cocky and conceded.
Off the court, in speaking with Josh, it’s always “yes sir and no sir” and “thank you sir.” More importantly, he has his priorities in order. His athleticism, advanced skill set, and positive body language are superb and while the national pundits don’t often mention his name as upper tier in his class yet, that will change sooner rather than later come July.