When you bring in some of the best players and teams from around the entire region, you are bound to have a lot of different looks. With this being the case for Phenom’s Palmetto Winter Classic, we are going to break up the unsigned seniors into different categories.
The first group of players are in the midst of really blowing up. Having their recruitment go to a completely new level with a lot of college coaches calling and coming to see them in the last week.
These players are highest level type recruits, having mid to high major programs living in their gyms. They all have high upsides and are incredibly exciting to watch.
6’9” Robert Braswell
Blythewood (SC)
Offers: (9) Oklahoma St, Fordham, Charlotte, James Madison, Old Dominion, etc…
Perhaps no other player, throughout our region, carries a hotter name on the recruiting trail than Robert Braswell. In the last week, he picked up an Oklahoma State offer while having the likes of Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Kansas St, South Carolina and many others in the gym to watch him play. He’s a 40+% 3-point shooter, South Carolina’s defending 5A high jump champion, has a 7’ wing span, and the list of upside continues. Expect his recruitment to continue at this level, the intrigue and production here are off the charts. For the Chick Fil A Classic he averaged 23.5 points, 9 rebounds. 3 blocks and 3 made 3s per game.
6’5” Jamarius Burton
Independence (NC)
Offers: LaSalle, East Carolina, Kent St, Hampton
If Braswell is the hottest unsigned senior recruit in our region, Burton is not far behind. We had numerous college coaches from the SEC, ACC, AAC and more asking about him last week. The likes of Clemson, Temple and Oregon State were in to watch him over the past week. Through 10 games, leading his team to a 9-1 record, he is averaging 15 points, 9 boards and 5 assists per game, shooting 51% on offense this year. Defensively he is averaging 2.5 steals, 2 deflections and a blocked shot per game. Burton is explosive and tough and simplifies the game for those around him. A true tough guy guard and he will shine for coaches and programs who value strength and toughness.
6’8” KC Hankton
United Faith Christian (NC)
Offers: (12) Utah St, Kent St, SE Louisiana, Charlotte, Toledo, E Washington, etc…
This past week Hankton had the likes of St Bonaventure, Youngstown St, Jacksonville, James Madison, Wofford and others watching him closely. Hankton has always been skilled. He is a smooth and effortless shooter with range beyond the arc. He has a jet-quick first step and is able to get to his spots off the bounce. Hankton has shown that he is a strong rebounder as well, averaging over 10 per game. This past week, at the Chick Fil A Classic Hankton averaged 15.5 points, 9 boards, 2 blocks, 1 steal, shot 50% from 3 and 55% from the field. Expect another bump in his recruitment as he continues performing.
6’9” Milos Stajcic
Freedom Christian (NC)
Offers: Arkansas St, Murray St, Campbell
Stajcic has not event been in the United States for 2 months. The forward is very skilled, as he has a pure jump shot and the ability to put it on the floor and get to the basket. Stajcic is very skilled with his back to the basket, a talented passer and great touch. He spent his last two seasons in Serbia playing on the Red Star top team (Serbia’s top club program). His game is on a steep incline as numerous mid to high major programs are making it a point to put eyes on him.
While the players above are making the most noise along the recruiting trail, they are not the only unsigned seniors college coaches need to keep their eyes on.
Here is a listing and write up on some other unsigned seniors that Division 1 coaches need to get in and watch. Even though they do not have any offers, coaches should not let that scare them, they will each help to put Ws in the win column.
6’2” Jonathan Breeland
Blythewood (SC)
This one is a bit perplexing as he has all the accolades needed for multiple offers. He is a proven winner (taking his team to the 5A state championship last year). He has great size, standing at a sturdy 6’2”. Each time Breeland steps on the floor he is a threat for a triple/double, with his skill set, athleticism and physical style of basketball. During the Chick Fil A Classic, Breeland averaged 15.5 points, 8 boards and 7 assists while shooting 50% from the field…College Coaches, a proven winner with all the skills!
6’7” Sam Woods
Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach (SC)
Off the rip, Woods passes the look test. He has good size to go with great length. Woods has natural defensive timing and is a quick and explosive leaper. He possesses an excellent pick & pop mid-range jump shot and is a good rim runner and short corner dunker. Woods is just scratching the surface, but already is a 10/10/5 block type producer. His deflection count runs high throughout a game. Much more ceiling to go.
6’7” Diamonte “Bam” Brown
AC Flora (SC)
Brown just goes out and gets it done. A workman like player who loves doing the tough guy stuff. He is an explosive leaper who can touch the rim with his head. He is a strong 2-handed rebounder and excellent weak-side shot blocker. What intrigues most about Brown are his hands and footwork on the block. He can put his back to the basket and get a bucket and has very passer friendly hands on his strong frame. Love his toughness.
6’3” Jaylin Reed
Miller School (VA)
Reed had an NJIT offer early in his process, so he is a very talented player. Reed’s game is subtle, he does everything right on the floor, playing a mistake free style. He is good in the mid-range and he is solid off the ball or as a secondary ball handler. He has good feet on defense and good length for overall production. You will need to walk into the gym and watch him, a lot of what he does doesn’t show up on the state sheet, regardless what he does wins ball games.