Every coach in this region, yes every college coach, no matter the league or level, should be in Fayetteville at Methodist University on Friday night at 6 PM to watch this matchup. This matchup between two lengthy and explosive wings who can flat out score the basketball.
Yes, those are very translatable skills, size, length, explosion, shooting, scoring, etc…Justin Thomas, of Village Christian (Fayetteville) and Ricky Council IV of Southern Durham (Durham), are just that, translatable players. Both of these stars happen to be in the same boat as well, highly regarded, yet somehow, still available.
Justin Thomas is a 6’6”/6’7”, who is ranked 128 by the 247Sports Composite ranking and claimed offers along the way from the likes of Georgia Tech, East Carolina, George Mason, St. Bonaventure and others. As Village Christian Head Coach told Rodd Baxley of the Fayetteville Observer, “He’s (Thomas) position less. In today’s game, they (college coaches) like guys that are versatile. He can pass, dribble and shoot. He can rebound, he’s selfish and he can guard one through four at the next level. Those are things college coaches are seeing.” Darden went on to tell Baxley, “I would describe him as somewhat of a late bloomer and I still think his best basketball is in front of him. I think he’s good right now, but I think he has a chance to have a special senior season here.”
Ricky Council IV is a familiar name around North Carolina, as Ricky Council II was a highly sought after recruit who signed with Providence. Council IV carries 15 or so offers, with his only official visit during the early signing period being to Georgia Southern. Over the course of Council’s 50 game varsity career, he has averaged 12.6 points while shooting 61.7% from the field and 44.5% from 3. He is a noted bucket getter by any measure you look at it.
Council carries a lengthy, highly explosive and strong frame. At 6’6” and 210 pounds, he has a 6’9” or so wingspan to go along with elbow at the rim explosion. Everything checks the boxes of what college coaches should be looking for. Council is a Top 10 player in the state of North Carolina.
The reason this matchup is so interesting is that they are probably the top two unsigned seniors, who will be waiting for this spring. Intriguingly enough, these two should be fighting for the same offers as they are, not only positionally similar but also level wise.
Come 6 PM this Friday night, college coaches should be watching this game closely, we know we cannot wait for the matchup.
