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 Jarrod Small of Henderson Collegiate.
We’ve seen Small in every type of setting, including at our All-American Camp, where we stated, “Finishing up, we look at a player who proved to be a definite asset through his toughness and blue-collar approach, Jarrod Small. He’s a long, mobile, athletic forward/post prospect with an active motor on both ends of the floor. Small stood out as a strong rebounder, collected a ton of second-chance opportunities, and capitalized on finishing opportunities whenever available. He finishes well around the basket and understands how to outwork opponents with consistency. Next in his development process is working on improving his off-ball awareness on defense, as it would lead to more forced turnovers. Coach Simpson on Small: “Jarrod has some nice physical attributes (like strength and athleticism), but can work to improve his overall feel for the game. His bounce, length, and strength make him a strong driver, as he’s able to get to the rim from beyond the arc with just one dribble—regardless if a defender is on his hip. However, he can work on going to his off-hand, mixing up his scoring moves, and shooting off the bounce.” Small produced quite nicely as the primary interior presence for his camp team, and should receive attention from college coaches throughout the upcoming season.”
Since then, he shined as a major piece for Henderson Collegiate and has continued to stand out as a quality contributor for Team Push’s group of unsigned seniors. This past season, he posted nightly averages of 12.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.3 SPG while shooting 58% from the floor. Small tends to thrive as a complementary piece who finds opportunities within the flow of the action. He’s an active rebounder and useful defender with the necessary length and motor to make an impact without needing a ton of offensive touches. Small finishes well and scores effectively when running the floor in transition. He should be able to find a place at the next level.