Carmel Christian Vs. Independence was the Hoop State’s Game of the Year!!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=dfAYdEqyHcM]
6’9″ junior Obinna Anochili-Killen
Chapmanville (WV)
What is not to like about a high level defender, who is fluid with good hands and touch. The defensive switchability for Anochili-Killen is off the charts, exactly what you look for in modern basketball. Standing at a lengthy and explosive 6’9″ Anochili-Killen has touch around the basket and the ability to pick and pop out beyond the arc. His motor runs incredibly hot on both ends and he is a difference maker, especially anchoring a defense. He claims offers from the likes of VCU, Marshall and George Washington but expect Power 5s to start getting involved. Anochili-Killen finished with a triple double here with 12 points, 11 blocks and 10 rebounds. He is a high academic as well.
6’6″ junior Kahari Rodgers
Liberty Heights (NC)
Rodgers has a lot of very attractive tools. You start with his length and positional size. Then you see that he has great touch and range on his jump shot with the ability to get to his spots within two and three dribbles. He is also a very good positional rebounder and a good wing defender. It is a bit surprising he doesn’t have any offers yet, however, that is something that is sure to come sooner rather than later.
6’8″ unsigned senior Devin Collins
Chapmanville (WV)
Collins exploded for 26 points as he showed out in the first game of the day. Collins scored the ball at each level, starting with his dead-eye jump shot with deep range. The 6’8″ senior has grown 5 inches over the past year and looks to possibly still have an inch or two to go. He put the ball on the floor and got to the free throw line as well as finished in the mid-range with a nice floater. Lots of upside here, especially as he grows into his body. Great size and skill set with a winning production. D1s should be trying to get him on campus now.
6′ unsigned senior Raja Milton
Independence (NC)
Throughout the game our staff continued to look at one another wondering how in the world the North Carolina D2s were not all over him. Milton is as clutch as they come, with ice in his veins. He wants the ball in his hands during crunch time and he typically produces. Milton is the starting point guard for the defending 4A state champion and he guided his team to this victory over the #24 ranked team in the country. During overtime, it was Milton’s 7 points that stretched the lead for Independence. Again, what are you D2s thinking'!
6’8 junior Josh Hall
Moravian Prep (NC)
Hall had began to get talked about prior to his reclassifying, however once he went back to the 2020 class he became one of the hottest prospects in the Hoop State. Hall is a lengthy 6’8″ wing who shoots the cover off the ball. He is an extremely fluid athlete with explosion at the rim. However, it is his shooting that really stands out about him. In this one he knocked down 3-pointer after 3-pointer en route to 23 first half points. After his performance in this event he picked up his second Power-5 offer, Rutgers. Many more are in the pipeline.
Carmel Christian Hosted Two of the Best Events in North Carolina This Year
As North Carolina is known as the Hoop State, Carmel Christian has to be known for the incredible basketball events it put on this' year. Not only were the Carmel Christian Tip Off Classic and the Carmel Christian MLK Showcase the best events Charlotte saw this year, but, along with the Holiday Invitational, they were two of the best in North Carolina. Both events sold out, with having people to stand outside in a one in and one out fashion. It is safe to say Carmel Christian has built itself as event hosts and we are very excited to see what they bring next year.
Obinna Anochili-Killen is a Star, but Don’t Sleep on Devin Collins
Sure Anochili-Killen will be what many of the coaches come to see. He is a nationally ranked prospect and will garner high major interest and offers throughout. However, it is Devin Collins, the skilled 6’8″ prospect who will carry this team to back to back state titles. Obinna-Killen has multiple D1 offers, but Collins is still waiting on his first. That offer should come for the young prospect, who still may be growing. The future is extremely bright as he finished with 26 points going head to head against Alabama signee Juwan Gary. Anochili-Killen should have the high majors coming through while Collins should have a host of lows and mids in to watch. Afterall, this is West Virginia’s best team and the defending state champions who have not lost a game in West Virginia since last season.
Josh Hall is the Hottest Name in the Hoop State
It makes sense, there is an incredible amount of intrigue with him. He is at a great place as all of this intrigue is built because Hall has a noticeable amount of upside mixed with great production he is consistently putting out. Providence was the first Power 5 to offer and Rutgers followed suit (after his performance this weekend). Hall is a 6’8″ wing who can handle the ball for 2 and 3 dribbles and shoot it from well beyond the arc. He is a good rebounder and has a frame that looks to put on good weight fairly quickly. He finished with 6 threes and 28 points in this one (23 in the first half). He is one of the most talked about prospects in North Carolina among college coaches.
Garrett Hein is a 10+ Offer Player
What a difference a year makes, and like Hall, a reclass is what set it all off. Hein had a good summer, playing 17u with PSB Elite. However, he transferred to Concord 1st Assembly and reclassified to the junior class and he took off. He showed a unique blend of skills during this event, a blend that should have Division 1 programs fighting over themselves for him. He scored the ball in every way you would want a 6’8″ prospect to do. He attacked the rim off the bounce, he canned threes and he scored (over both shoulders) with his back to the basket. Hein is a double/double machine as a tough rebounder, against a very tall and strong Moravian Prep front line, Hein finished with 21 points and 8 boards. D1s, you’re on the clock!