Each year, three-point shooting becomes increasingly valuable at every possible level within the game of basketball. Like most ideologies, the emphasis on perimeter shooting really started to heighten in the professional ranks (coming over the last decade or so) and trickled down from there. Now, everyone seems to be in universal agreement with its value. In turn, this makes Donovan Atwell's commitment to UNCG incredibly valuable. Mike Jones and his staff have arguably added the top marksman in North Carolina, so let's take a closer look into what they'll be getting in Atwell…
Rewinding back a few years, it's worth noting that Atwell has always been identified as one of the top players within his class. He went from Team United to Team CP3 and Lake Norman Charter to Davidson Day to Providence Day (in order to remain with Coach Johnson), and has never wavered as an elite-level player. Even with his slender frame and known identity as a knockdown shooter, Atwell has always found ways to apply pressure. Even as a freshman for Lake Norman Charter, he averaged 14.3 PPG and 3.3 RPG while shooting 40% from distance on an insane 9.1 attempts per game. Please just try to digest how unbelievable that is. The following year, Atwell 18.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG while shooting 42% from distance on (still insane) 8.6 attempts per game. Then, he decided to join Davidson Day'where he would go on to be the centerpiece for a 21-3 Patriots squad. Between the Patriots and Team CP3, Atwell has only further solidified his case as a can't-miss prospect over the last twelve months.
After the summer season, he followed Coach Johnson to Providence Day and should still be as valuable as anyone on the current roster. He's already shown the ability to expand his role and production as needed, able to stand out as a defender while assuming some secondary ball-handling duties as needed. Either way, Atwell is a terrific get for the Spartans. He brings obvious appeal as a spot-up threat and should eventually emerge as one of the top shooters in the conference. Additionally, Atwell is an excellent teammate and low-maintenance player with no baggage on or off the court. Expect him to steadily become a difference-maker for this program.