At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight BJ Keith of Word of God Academy.
We’ve followed Keith since being at Wake Christian, including at our most recent All-American Camp, where we stated, “Continuing onto a player that easily stood out as one of the most dynamic and rugged defenders on display, BJ Keith. He’s an extremely tough lead guard prospect with quickness and the ability to touch the paint at will. Keith is a quality finisher with IQ, sharp vision, and a nonstop motor. Next in his development process is working on becoming a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him even more difficult to contain. Coach Potosnakk on Keith: “BJ has good spped, athleticism, and finishes well from the point guard position. He’s a willing defender and displays good communication skills. Daily shot development and making three-pointers at a higher rate will allow him to use his ability off the bounce even more effectively. BJ was highly competitive at the event. I’m looking forward to watching his progress this season as he worksk towards college. Division I-level speed. He was great to work with. Be a leader each and every day!” Keith shined as a leader for his team throughout camp, securing the Mr. Defense award with relative ease, and should maintain his status as a major piece for Word of God during the upcoming season.”
The aforementioned excerpt really encompasses why various types of programs would benefit from having someone like Keith on their roster. He’s a tough, gritty, defensive tone-setter with a high motor and a willingness to consistently do the dirty work on both ends of the floor. Keith is a sharp on-ball defender with quickness, positioning, and anticipation for jumping into passing lanes. He’s a capable penetrator and overall scorer in the open floor, but can also knock down the perimeter jumper on occasion. Keith is an unselfish lead guard who looks to set up the offense and get others involved as much as possible. He understands his strengths and does a phenomenal job of embracing his identity on both ends of the floor. Keith will play at the next level, so it’ll be exciting to see where he ultimately goes.