At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of 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 Felipe Patino of Winston-Salem Christian.
We’ve watched Patino closely over these last few years, recently stating, “In a time where shooting is more valuable than ever, one would think that someone like Felipe Patino would be an obvious target for college coaches to pursue. The combination of IQ, size, and shot-making alone should appeal to tons of programs. Add in his understanding of how to be a low-maintenance cog within a team structure while consistently excelling in spot-up situations, and it’s perplexing why he doesn’t have more offers. Patino is comfortable attacking closeouts and finishing or setting up others. That being said, he knows his strengths and produces alongside any collection of teammates. Patino is a definite asset at the next level.”
It’s genuinely disappointing to see how the portal has affected the recruitment of high school prospects, and Patino is one of the best examples. Despite being an elite shooter with IQ, size, ball skills, and defensive prowess, his recruitment has not matched his ability. Coming off yet another successful season as a key cog for Winston-Salem Christian, it’s unclear what more he needs to do or showcase in order to receive the appropriate amount of attention. Patino is comfortable at initiating the offense, setting up others, and making decisions with the ball in his hands. That being said, he primarily makes an impact through spacing the floor, hitting shots, and containing opposing wings on defense. Patino is an extremely steady, reliable player who should appeal to a ton of different scholarship-level coaches.