Now that we’ve reached the point in the high school season when things begin to shift. Despite all the preseason competition, holiday showcases, and subplots throughout, this time is arguably as exciting as any period in the year. Each game has playoff implications. All kinks should be figured out, and teams should be hitting their stride. However, this is also the stretch when folks start paying attention to blossoming prospects. Although the roster is filled with high-level talent, it feels like Kamari Nicholson should already be a bigger priority for college coaches. Let’s take a closer look…
No matter how much basketball evolves, big men with the ability to protect the rim will always be extremely important. Naturally, these guys are more evident at the highest levels, but it’s always refreshing to see a high school player who can legitimately anchor a defense. At 6-foot-10, Nicholson fits the mold perfectly. He truly excels as a low-maintenance piece who rebounds, runs the floor, and blocks/alters shots at a remarkable rate. Nicholson utilizes his incredible combination of length, timing, and instincts to consistently deter opponents from attacking the basket. He erases shots around the rim and is quite comfortable switching, recovering, and blocking shots on closeouts or weakside help. Nicholson is also an effective wall-up defender whose length naturally bothers opponents around the basket.
When looking at the raw per-game numbers, he’s averaging 5.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 BPG with 49/39/59 splits. Nicholson has totaled at least three or more blocked shots in 16 of 23 games, including nine games with five or more blocked shots. His offensive game continues to grow, but most of his opportunities still come through lobs, drop-offs, and filling the lane in transition. However, he has shown very real flashes of three-point shooting this season and could feasibly develop into an inside-out offensive option with continued development. His rebounding numbers should also gradually increase as he adds strength to his wiry frame. It’s worth noting that The Burlington School always plays a highly difficult schedule featuring a slew of notable matchups. Nicholson had some of his best performances against their most challenging opponents. Given the fact that he still has another year of progression, Division I programs would be wise to start laying groundwork.