Class of 2019 Standouts
Phenom's Feast of Champions
This event was chock full of talent. Players committed to Division 1 programs, players ranked among the nation's top 100 and players who were unsigned. What was surprising to us was how many very talented unsigned seniors there were, who did not have anything.
They were guards, wings and bigs, guys who had physically ready frames and high production to match. The 2019 class played at a high level, with some certainly to garner high major interest. Let's take a look at who stood out.
6'7' Khuath Gatkouth
Village Christian (Fayetteville, NC)
Gatkouth is official on the map and his recruitment should be treated as such. Gatkouth is a skilled wing who plays defense and rebounds with an all-out abandon to get the ball. He is a walking double/double, a 40% 3-point shooter and will average 2 blocks and 2 steals per game. Currently he only carries a Campbell offer, high major schools are coming in this week to watch. That level should be the norm moving forward.
6'9' Emmanuel Izunabor
Fayetteville Academy (Fayetteville, NC)
Izunabor has worked his way to being a high major big man. So far this season, he flirts with triple/doubles nightly. He is a high level rebounder as he gets the ball with two hands at its highest point. He is very strong with the ball and has soft catcher-friendly hands. Izunabor is also an excellent passer, enabling you to line him up at the high post or the low block. He has great patience with the ball and is a threat to score over both shoulders or knock down the 18 foot jump shot. In one game in this event Izunabor had 22 rebounds and 7 assists to go along with his 14 points and 5 blocked shots. With an East Carolina offer in hand, schools at that level and high should be clamoring at the bit to put eyes on him.
6'7' Imajae Dodd
Greene Central (Snow Hill, NC)
Dodd was a man amongst boys out on the floor, but that is what we have become accustomed to from Dodd. While Dodd is a quiet and incredibly well mannered player off the floor, things change once the ball is tipped. Dodd plays with a mean streak, which plays very well with his strong frame and explosive body. He is a very active rebounder and has great timing blocking shots. In this game against Greenfield School, Dodd finished with 14 points, 17 boards and 10 blocked shots. Offensively, he is able to operate from the high post or low block and defensively he has great length and timing. He carries 6 D1 offers from the likes of East Carolina, Old Dominion, Tulsa, Wofford and others. That list should grow exponentially as he is continued to be seen.
6'6' Jace McKenney
South Brunswick (Southport, NC)
McKenney is a name we have written about in the past as we first came across him around this time last year. Standing a strong framed and highly explosive 6'6', McKenney was labeled as a bull in a china shop with his run through a brick wall at a 100 miles per hour mentality. Over the last year, the game has slowed down immensely for him. Now he is playing the game at a better pace, still crashing the boards and still trying to dunk on everyone, but it is much more in the flow of things. Now also, that jump shot has come around. He is a 40% 3-point shooter now, helping to give him an entirely translatable wing at the next level. His ability to catch and shoot will translate and his ability to get to the rim and take contact as he rises above the rim will catch the eyes of many college coaches. Watch closely here, already a D1 prospect, we feel like more growth will happen and he may have another level or two in there.
