5’10 Quay Watson (Hopewell/Team United)
Between his high school and the EYBL production, it’s difficult to make sense of Watson’s recruitment. During his junior year, he posted nightly averages of 23.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 2.7 SPG with 56/47/84 shooting splits (on insane volume) while being the clear, undisputed leader for the Titans. Sure, he’s 5-foot-10 and not actively looking to rip the rim off at every turn, but that’s honestly a huge part of what makes him so impressive. Watson is a highly polished, intelligent lead guard with the perfect balance of playmaking and three-level prowess to effectively run an offense. He’s more than comfortable burdening a heavy scoring load, but simply knows how to involve others and properly control the action with the ball in his hands. Watson receives as much defensive attention as any guard in the state, yet always seems to produce in a reliable manner. Add in his heady presence at the point of attack, and it’s shocking that more schools haven’t tried to get involved with Watson.
6’5 Carlos Vazquez (Wayne Country Day/Team Loaded 336)
Given the value of big, skilled wing players, it’s surprising that more schools haven’t already offered Vazquez. Last season, he averaged 13.4 PPG and 7.8 RPG. At 6-foot-5, he’s a real matchup problem for the majority of opponents. Vazquez can handle the ball, create clean looks for himself and others, and possesses a fairly versatile offensive game. He’s a capable scorer from all levels, yet understands how to not force the action as a primary option. Vazquez is a quality rebounder with the ability to reliably attack the glass and immediately push the break in transition. He can also defend multiple positions and effectively play without the ball in his hands.
5’11 Keenan Wilkins (Christ School/Upward Stars Fagan)
After years of constant production (and his seamless transition into becoming a legitimate floor general), one would expect more schools to be involved with Wilkins. In his first season at Christ School, he averaged 14.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.3 SPG with 43/41/89 shooting splits. Wilkins’ foundation was predicated on being a polished scorer, but it’s easy to see the strides he’s made as a playmaker. Now, he offers phenomenal balance between the two while providing an active defensive presence at the point of attack. Wilkins can create his own shot, set up others, or effectively make an impact without the ball in his hands. He’s an excellent three-point shooter, both off the catch and bounce, but also regularly attacks the basket and accesses his pull-up from midrange.