It’s no secret that Dionte Neal is one of the most successful high school players ever. Whether the titles, nonstop winning, or individual production, his career has been largely unrivaled to this point. However, it’s fair to say the Rams’ roster has taken a pretty sizable hit with the departures of multiple key pieces. Should Kendre Harrison not play basketball this season, Reidsville will lose four of its top five players from last season. That’s 62% of scoring, 73% of rebounding, and roughly half of their assists. So, what can Neal do to propel this group forward?
Well, for a guy who embraces being a floor general, this will likely need to be his biggest scoring year yet. This probably seems ridiculous to say about a player who just averaged 23 PPG, but they’ll need his scoring and shot-creation now more than ever. Neal is quick enough to consistently break down defenders, touch the paint, and finish or kick out to open teammates. He regularly attacks the midrange and converts jumpers from beyond the arc. If guys are able to knock down open jumpers, Neal can make life very easy for his teammates.
That being said, Jaquez Tynes, Treshaun Brown, Frankie Galloway, and various others will need to emerge in order for this group to remain competitive. The Rams had a decent showing during the June Live period, but folks should expect this group to make considerable strides before the start of the season. Despite the roster turnover, this group should still be able to beat the majority of its scheduled opponents. The John Wall Invitational will naturally pose some challenges, but overall, this group should definitely surprise folks. Ultimately, this group will go as far as Neal can take them. Expect him to be one of the most productive players in North Carolina this season.