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 young prospects really begin to emerge and separate themselves from their peers. Although the state is filled with intriguing young talent in every area, Emory Chaney is someone who clearly deserves more attention from the masses. Let’s take a closer look…
Given our viewings of Chaney throughout his middle school career, it really isn’t surprising to see him blossoming as a focal point for Charlotte Latin. The freshman floor general is currently averaging 17.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 1.4 SPG with strong 47/40/74 splits. The Hawks are 14-7 with several meaningful wins throughout their schedule, and Chaney has been a massive reason why. He leads the team in scoring and assists, and ranks third in steals. To be completely honest, it’s somewhat bizarre that more individuals aren’t talking about a freshman posting those numbers for a winning program.
Despite his age, Chaney is already an extremely consistent producer. He scored between 16 and 24 points in 17 of 21 games, reached at least 3 assists in 16 of 21 games, and has knocked down at least two three-pointers in 16 of 21 games. While it might not seem like a big deal on the surface, it’s actually quite uncommon for a player so young to already be so reliable. This is nothing new, as Chaney has regularly played up multiple age groups and showcased high-level ability despite being physically outmatched by opponents. In terms of his actual game, he’s an incredibly smart, poised point guard who displays a natural understanding of how to run a team. Chaney provides a seemingly perfect balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. He looks to create for others as much as possible while actively seizing easy scoring opportunities whenever available. Chaney is a smooth shooter who knows how to apply pressure as a spot-up threat or pick his spots off the bounce. He displays terrific pace when attacking and makes quality decisions with the ball in his hands. It’s difficult to point out any glaring weaknesses at this stage in his development. Although he’s been a notable talent for quite a while, it’s clear that Chaney is starting to warrant increased attention across North Carolina.