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 or under-recruited in some capacity, and today’s edition will highlight Jeremiah McGrady of Westover High School.
We last saw McGrady at our Hoops and Dreams, previously stating, “In all honesty, it’s surprising that more college coaches haven’t gotten involved with McGrady—especially given their general desire to obtain big men. He moves very well for his size, which stands out on both ends of the floor. McGrady displays quality defensive instincts as an interior cog, showing an understanding of how to protect the paint and position himself to alter shots when defending PnR action. He plays with great energy on the glass and doesn’t shy away from contact around the basket. Offensively, he finishes around the basket, moves without the ball, and finds success through simply running the floor. McGrady utilizes his length to overwhelm opponents, but also possesses nice timing when altering shots. He currently sports a lone offer from Davidson Davie College, but it feels like more schools will certainly get involved over the coming months. McGrady should be a vital piece for Westover going into his senior season.”
It’s still quite surprising that McGrady isn’t coveted by more college coaches. His combination of size, fluidity, and low-maintenance presence allow him to find consistent production in a variety of different roles. McGrady is a useful finisher but doesn’t necessarily require a lot of offensive touches to make an impact. He finds most of his success through rebounding and anchoring the paint defensively. McGrady displays nice length and an active motor, able to routinely involve himself in the rebounding battle on both ends of the floor. His alters shots well as a rim-protector and possesses all the necessary tools to be a notable defensive cog. Only time will tell, but McGrady is the type of player who should blossom at the next level.
