There are so many options in today’s high school basketball landscape. Parents and players are constantly being encouraged to seek out new situations more than ever before. The period from April to June is now considered an extremely important stretch for coaches (both college and high school) to secure next season’s roster. Numerous players have already made moves to new destinations while others are either staying put or figuring out the best alternate path for their desired outcome. Among those recent movers is Kamari Nicholson, transferring from Warren County to The Burlington School. Although he’s largely under the radar, Nicholson is clearly trending upward as a prospect Division I coaches need to be monitoring. Let’s take a closer look…
The 6-foot-9 big man is somewhat of an unknown to the general masses. He’s a long, fluid athlete with an enticing frame and the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Nicholson excels as a malleable, low-maintenance option. He finishes well around the basket, runs the floor properly in transition, and is a useful partner in screening actions. Nicholson also shows flashes of floor-spacing ability along the perimeter. That being said, he’s arguably more valuable as a defensive cog. Nicholson is quietly one of the most underrated rim-protectors in North Carolina. His understanding of timing and angles, combined with his ability to alter or block shots without fouling, is phenomenal. Nicholson moves quite well for his size and is comfortable switching onto smaller opponents when necessary. He utilizes his motor and length exceptionally well to protect the paint and control the glass as a rebounder.
Mind you, Nicholson is coming off a season where he averaged 10.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 4.1 BPG while shooting 53% from the floor. The rising junior is still harnessing his long-term abilities but already has obvious appeal and an impactful identity. Nicholson’s stock should rapidly rise over the next calendar year as a key piece for The Burlington School.