At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of 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 Emmanuel Black of Winston-Salem Christian.
Whether with the Lions or Big Shots Elite, we’ve seen Black various times over the last calendar year, as our own Ethan Reece previously stated, “There’s an abundance of unsung appreciation for the role Emmanuel has taken up on the court as a one-man clean-up crew inside, and he’s shown time and again how valuable and productive that position can be. Rebounding and making layups win games, and to put it as simply as possible, Emmanuel can help you do a lot of that. He’s a big-time board-man with good hands, the ability to play bigger with timed jumps and wall-up post defense, and does it all in an efficient way that maximizes his touches while he also earns himself more looks by battling for second-chance opportunities. He has a high motor, knows his role, and plays unselfishly, all the qualities to immediately help a program.”
Everything stated above still rings true today, as Black is the type of player who should have a variety of schools involved in his recruitment. He’s long, active, and reliably anchors the paint on both ends of the floor. Black is a quality finisher, both above and below the rim, with soft touch and the necessary strength to finish through contact. He’s a nice all-around athlete, especially for his size, and moves far better than a majority of available big men. Black rebounds at a consistent rate, alters shots with ease, and fills in the gaps on both ends. He can also finish out of the post or knock down the occasional perimeter jumper. His steady, straightforward presence has been a clear difference-maker for Big Shots Elite, and that should seamlessly translate to the next level. Expect Black to be a quality piece wherever he ultimately ends up.