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 Semajeh Echols of Keenan.
We’ve watched Echols since his middle-school days, recently stating, “Moving onto a player that always seems to impress with his motor and willingness to do the little things, Samajeh Echols. He’s a big, strong-bodied forward prospect with a high motor and phenomenal rebounding instincts on both ends of the floor. Echols is great defensively and does a great job of containing his assignment around the basket. He moves well for his size and is capable of operating within the paint or as a spot-up threat from the perimeter. Echols is willing to make hustle plays or dive on the floor for loose balls, and runs the floor hard in transition. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Staley on Echols: “Semajeh is a high IQ stretch forward with a great feel for the game. He can shoot it and get downhill with a smooth presence in transition. Semajeh displayed a positive attitude and team-first approach throughout the day.” Echols proved to be an asset for his team during camp and should see an uptick in his recruitment over these next few seasons at Keenan.”
It should be pretty easy for college coaches to see the obvious value that resides within someone like Echols. He’s a tough, mobile, strong-bodied forward/post prospect with a clear understanding of his identity on both ends of the floor. Echols is a solid athlete for his size and does a nice job of clearing out space inside the paint—both for rebounds and finishing opportunities. He’s active and moves well without the ball, but can also make the occasional post move within the flow of the action. Echols is nearly averaging a double-double this season, and has twelve such performances where he eclipsed the double-digit mark for points and rebounds. Low-maintenance guys like Echols should always have a place within the bigger basketball picture, so expect him to be a capable piece wherever he ends up.