Now that Jajuan Carr has committed to UNC Wilmington the list of available unsigned seniors, in the Carolinas, dwindled by one. Carr is new Head Coach Takayo Siddle's first commitment after being named to his first head coaching job. But who is left' During this time of travel bans and social distancing, the recruitment process has never gone through a time like this. Lists of players are imperative for college coaches and their recruiting boards …
With Carr off the board, who is next' Here are the next five unsigned seniors in line, per Phenom Hoops' current Rankings.
6'6' Ricky Council IV
Southern Durham HS (Durham, NC)
2019-20 Stats: 23.3 Points., 9.2 Boards. 4.7 Assists.
Claimed Offers: Wichita State, UNCG, Coastal, ODU, App St, Hofstra, Georgia Southern, etc…
Council was in the conversation as the most electric players in the state of North Carolina, all season. A pure bucket getter with the ability to create for himself of score off the catch. Outside of his eye-popping, elbow at the rim explosion, Council's unselfish nature and willingness to let the offense come to him maybe his most appealing attribute. He is an above the rim defender, he is a good rebounder and he has the athletic and physical makeup to be a good defender at the next level. Wichita State was the most recent offer, that level feels like the baseline of the level of schools to be looking at him.
7’0″ Quincy Ballard
Quality Education (Winston Salem, NC)
Claimed Offers: Missouri State, UNC Wilmington, USC Upstate, UNC Asheville, etc..
You cannot teach seven feet, especially when that 7 feet has good hands, runs the floor well and makes his free throws. Ballard had a breakout performance at Phenom Hoops’ State Championship, and hasn’t looked back since. Ballard is a rim protecting big, who showcased the ability on offense to finish over his shoulder and try to dunk everything. He is very strong, and well built with length and broad shoulders. He is the best available big in the region, and overall the best center in the Carolina’s for the 2020 class. Expect the Power 5s to look closely here, he is not a project.
6'5' Quentin Hodge
Lakewood HS (Sumter, SC)
2019-20 Stats: 29.8 Points. 44% 3P. 6.7 Boards. 3.5 Assists.
Claimed Offers: Murray St, App St, Winthrop, Coastal, Siena, College of Charleston, Florida Gulf Coast, USC Upstate, Mercer, Hofstra, etc…
Hodge took his game to a completely new level this season. Being the focal point of the team, he showcased more efficiency in his game and more playmaking. However, make no mistake about it, Hodge can still go get buckets. He is a strong, and tough combo guard, able to touch the paint or knock down the 3-ball. His senior season, playing for former Clemson point guard Ed Scott, Hodge expanded his game with the ball in his hands. He created with great efficiency, he scored with great efficiency and he defended with a purpose. This level of schools offering is the baseline of his talent, should be a hot commodity at this point.
6'8' Jaden Seymour
Northside Christian (Charlotte, NC)
2019-20 Stats: 19 Points, 12 Boards, 2 Blocks, 1.5 Steals. (12 games)
Claimed Offers: USF, NC State, Va Tech, UNCG, Coastal Carolina, Elon, App St, College of Charleston, Hampton, Mercer, etc…
Seymour carved his reputation as a high-level defensive stopper, and that hasn't changed. He missed the majority of summer travel season with a torn ACL, but he came back this season as strong as ever. As we all know, the mental aspect can be harder to overcome than the physical aspect of the injury. Seymour took his time and rehabbed hard. He came back explosive and with the same edge, but he also came back with the ball skills and ability to knock down shots. Still an absolute defensive monster, his work ethic will have him be hard to take off the floor. A game-changer who has the ability to possibly go past the collegiate level with continued work and progress.
6'6' Justin Thomas
Village Christian (Fayetteville, NC)
2019-20 Stats: 17.8 Points. 8.6 Boards. 4 Assists. 2.3 Steals.
Claimed Offers: Georgia Tech, East Carolina, UNC-Wilmington
Thomas sets the mold as a do-everything wing, with his ability to score, slash, initiate and rebound. Thomas was in a unique position this year to play a lot of his minutes on the block, defensively. He also was one of two ball handlers for his team, so he initiated the offense 50% of the time on the floor. Blocks and boards started a lot of his offense, but he showcased ability in the half-court as well, to both create and finish plays. He checks all the boxes for wings at the level of his offers.
6'6' Justin Amadi
Dorman HS (Roebuck, SC)
2019-20 Stats: 13.3 Points. 72.6% FG. 6 Boards. 1.2 Blocks. 1.2 Steals.
Claimed Offers: North Texas, Coastal Carolina, USC Upstate, Presbyterian, Nicholls State, Charleston Southern, etc…
Amadi is one of the strongest and most explosive players in the Carolinas. He was a central figure in Dorman's historic season, as they won their fifth straight South Carolina 5A state title on the way to a #2 national ranking by Maxpreps. Amadi is a tough guy, a multi positional defender who is strong enough to switch down to the paint and quick enough to move his feet on the wing. He is a game changing type leaper and very good rebounder. A lot to like here as his game is tailored around making winning plays.