At the beginning of each'new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around senior prospects. Last season, over fifty players from South 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'Zachary Laird of Brashier Middle College and Upward Stars Upstate Blue.
Our last viewing of Laird came prior to the season at SC Top 80, where we stated, 'Next, we look at a player that made a strong impression as the most reliable perimeter shooter on this team, Zachary Laird. He's a wiry, high-motor guard prospect with an absolutely knockdown three-point stroke. Laird is a solid ball-handler and creator, but typically operates as a spot-up threat and off-ball cutter. He's a quality defensive player with the ability to force turnovers by jumping into passing lanes. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him even tougher to contain off the bounce. Coach Bernardi on Laird: 'Zach is a knockdown shooter. He has a short memory and will shoot it with confidence every time. He knows how to move without the ball in order to find his three-pointer. He is a team-first guy that has a great attitude and wanted our team to win. Zach has to defend the ball better to continue to take his game to the next level. His lead step when guarding the ball is very important. He also needs to take care of the ball and hit singles rather than try to make a homerun every time he handles it.' Laird maximized his presence during camp and should be poised for a very productive upcoming season at Brashier Middle College.'
The phrase 'very productive' turned out to be something of an understatement, considering that Laird posted nightly averages of 21.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 3.0 SPG with shooting splits of 62/39/72. Not only was he one of the most prolific scorers, but also among the most efficient across the entire state. Laird stood out as a leader and focal point for the Bengals, which makes his raw numbers even more impressive.