At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today's edition will highlight Marcus Boykin of Trinity Christian School.

Often times, it seems like college coaches are recruiting a specific type of player to fit an ideal mold put in place by the coaching staff based on former successes. Based on that notion, it seems criminal that Boykin doesn't already hold over a dozen scholarship offers to play at the next level. It's almost as if playing within (and maximizing) a phenomenal role with an extremely successful Trinity Christian team has actually hurt him rather than help him. That feels simply ridiculous since his value should be higher given his pure efficiency and production, in addition to his ability to expand and assume more responsibilities whenever necessary. Boykin possesses an exceptional blend of IQ, skill, strength, athleticism, and two-way toughness along with a terrific balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. He understands how to properly shut down opposing guards, force turnovers, and make his presence consistently felt on offense. 


We were fortunate enough to see Trinity Christian multiple times this season, including after our Hoops and Dreams, where we stated:'While you look at the roster and see its 3-headed sophomore guard monster of 5'10' Cam Oates, 6'5' Freddie Dilione and 6'2' Jamari McDougald and realize how talented they really are. However, this team has senior leadership to steady the ship as well. Looking at 6'8' unsigned senior Todd Burt, 6'5' unsigned senior Travon Jackson, 6' unsigned senior Marcus Boykin and 6'8' junior Rob Wright. This team has a depth of talent but also great positional size. They can run with smaller teams and they can bang with larger teams. You can look at the 7 names listed above and expect them all to be on college rosters when they graduate from Trinity. When you have depth, coaching, talent and positional versatility you're on to something. A couple things to be assured of here, look for Trinity to be right in the mix of things come state championship time and college coaches (at all levels) should be in this gym.'

From that point forward, Boykin arguably became the most reliable of their lethal guard arsenal. He was quietly the third-leading scorer and passer with nightly averages of 10.4 PPG and 2.9 APG while shooting 49% from the floor and 42% from beyond the arc, which is pretty impressive for someone known for their athleticism. Boykin received an offer from Mount Olive, which should ultimately be the first of many to come, and would be a seamless fit at a variety of scholarship-level programs.