It’s getting to be that time of year where schools across the country are calling us daily, asking for unsigned seniors. With commitments flying off the board daily, programs are still trying to fill their rosters.
Here we’re taking a look at some players from our region that coaches should be looking at … Part 1
6’9” Robert Braswell
Blythewood HS (Blythewood, SC)
Braswell recently picked up a Syracuse offer, which doesn’t seem that far fetched. After all, Braswell has all the proper dimensions to suggest he has highest level upside. He carries a 7’ wing span, which fits very well in that Syracuse zone. He is a dead-eye 3-point shooter, over 50% on the EYBL last summer, which fits the spacing they like. He is also a South Carolina 5A state high jump champion. All in all, he bleeds upside and is one that schools like Syracuse should be very interested in.
6’5” Torey James
Hickory HS (Hickory, NC)
James has a unique skill set with his ability to pass and score the ball. Many times, with both Hickory High School and with PSB Elite last summer, he played a point forward position. He is able to create space for himself or really throw the ball around to create for others. With good size, James is able to shoot the ball and is a solid area rebounder for his position. When the staff changed over, James de-committed from USC-Upstate, but is a player Mid Majors should be looking into.
6’2” Dontrell Shuler
Legacy Charter (Greenville, SC)
Shuler is an elite level, on the ball defender. This should come as no surprise as he is the younger brother of rising Ole Miss sophomore Devonte Shuler. Dontrell is an aggressive, quick twitch, player on both ends of the floor. He is best when the game opens up and he is able to get out in transition. This happens often with his ability to pressure the ball and turn opposing teams over. He has a South Carolina State offer, schools should be checking in here.
6’3” MJ Armstrong
Gaston Day School (Gastonia, NC)
Armstrong saved his best for last, as he had nothing short of a spectacular senior season. On a team with Houston and College of Charleston signees, in our multiple viewings of Gaston Day, it was Armstrong who was consistently best player. He has deep range and plays with the utmost confidence offensively. Toward the end of his senior year, he was the one guarding the opposing team’s best player. Somehow he doesn’t have any offers right now although the likes of UNC-Asheville, Radford and others are poking around. Schools at this level and maybe the next level higher should be looking.
6’3” Tomas Butkus
Rabun Gap School (Nacoochee, GA)
This is one of the more perplexing recruitments of the 2018 class as some how Butkus carries no offers. He is a strong and highly competitive point guard. He has excellent vision with a crowd friendly flare, great size for his position and he shoots the ball at a high clip. Butkus is very vocal throughout the game, a natural born leader and he defends the ball with purpose and grit. Overall, he is a sure fire Division 1 prospect and no one on our staff has a single clue why he doesn’t have multiple offers.