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 the Carolinas 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 Jayden Pretty of Ridge View High School.
We’ve watched Pretty outperform basically everyone over the last calendar year, stating, “Given how much we’ve seen him over the summer, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Pretty continuing to showcase his abilities as a college-level player. He’s a quality post prospect with a strong frame and reliable scoring arsenal on the block. That being said, Pretty has also improved as a passer, shooter, and overall athlete. He does a great job of carving out space, playing through contact, and scoring with either hand around the basket. Pretty consistently rebounds his position and makes his presence felt defensively. Considering how he’s led and produced throughout the summer, Pretty should be a target for a slew of programs.”
It’s genuinely become confusing to try and make sense of Pretty’s lack of recruitment. Throughout the summer, he shined as a focal point for one of the top independent programs in the region with Carolina Pressure. We consistently saw Pretty outproduce other players with offers or status (while highlighting clear improvement), yet coaches decided to turn a blind eye. Fast-forward a few months and little to nothing has changed. Pretty is still putting up consistently impressive production for a nationally recognized program in Ridge View (a school that has advanced countless prospects to the next level). He’s a strong, highly skilled post prospect with IQ, touch, vision, and perimeter ability that continues to progress. Pretty rebounds his area extremely well and utilizes his body to overwhelm opponents defensively. Add in the fact that he truly understands his identity, and several types of scholarship-level programs should be in pursuit.
