High School Blog

Player of the Week

Eli Wright – 22 Feet Academy 2016 (Mississippi State)

The Owensboro, Kentucky native came up big in the win over Christ School, scoring 28 points (12-15 shooting), six rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Wright also finished with a game high 20 points in the win against Oak Hill Academy at the Phenom National Showcase Breakout. The athletic guard hasn’t received much praise as far as ranking services go but has started hot since joining the prep school scene. Wright has a chance to make some noise to finish off his high school career.

Hot

Curtis Jones – Huntington Prep 2016 (Indiana)

Jones scored 19 points in the win against Charlotte United Christian. He followed up with a big outing with 31 points, six assists, and four steals against Redemption Christian Academy. Jones has often been a solid player in the past but didn’t always separate himself from others, at times forgetting he’s on the court. Having a year with Huntington Prep under his belt, he can show what he will bring to Indiana next year, and try to fill Yogi Ferrell’s shoes.

Miles Bridges – Huntington Prep 2016 (Michigan State)

Bridges is starting the season strong, taking over as the “go to guy” for Huntington Prep. He finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks against Redemption Christian Academy. Huntington won by 42 points giving them a 3-0 record. Bridges is a big piece to a talented Michigan State recruiting class and has chance to move into the discussion of being a “one & done” candidate.

Thon Maker – Athlete Institute 2016

Maker has led Athlete Institute to a 3-0 start, kicking off the season beating The Hill Academy with a 37 point and 11 rebound performance. He followed up with 32 and 27 points against Victory Prep and BTB Prep respectfully. Thon is off to a great start and has posted some of the best numbers, averaging 32 points per game thus far.

Sacha Killeya-Jones – Virginia Episcopal 2016 (Kentucky)

Killeya-Jones and Virginia Episcopal are off to a 1-1 start. The Kentucky commit debuted with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks losing to Quality Education Academy. The next day, he finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks defeating Ravenscroft. SKJ gets to play in the bluegrass state later this month at the Zip Zone Classic matching up against Huntington Prep.

Mario Kegler – Oak Hill Academy 2016 (Mississippi State)

With Harry Giles out for the year with an ACL injury, this is Kegler’s chance to step up as Oak Hill’s go to scorer. Kegler finished with 25 points and five rebounds to beat Providence Day School. He made six three-pointers in the game showing a more consistent jumper than we have seen in the past. He also finished with 21 points in the win against Wesley Christian and 16 points in the loss to 22 Feet Academy.

Braxton Key – Oak Hill Academy 2016 (Alabama)

Formerly known as Braxton Blackwell, Key had the hot hand against Providence Day School scoring 20 points (8-10 shooting) while grabbing 11 rebounds. He added 15 points against 22 Feet Academy. The Christ Presbyterian Academy transfer contributes in more ways than scoring, and he has the talent around him to highlight his attributes.

Marvin Bagley – 2018

Bagley has been in the news lately and is currently the hottest “free agent” in high school basketball. His final game for Hillcrest ended with a bang, 51 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals to defeat Just Hoops. The destination for the Bagley’s is unknown, but they will make an instant impact wherever they land.

Trendon Watford – Mountain Brook 2019

The younger brother of former Indiana forward, Christian Watford, scored 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in his debut against Northridge. Considered one of the top players of the 2019 class, expect to hear his name over the next few years.

Cold

Rodney Miller – Oak Hill Academy 2016 (Miami)

The seven foot center is beginning his third season with Oak Hill but seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle of talent. Formerly a top 50 recruit of his class, he has slipped a bit among his peers. One of his recent games against

Providence Day, he finished scoreless and only grabbed one rebound in 14 minutes of play.

Under the Radar

Justin Miller – 22 Feet Academy 2016

Originally a member of the 2015 high school class, Miller committed to a Division II school, Kentucky Wesleyan College. However; Miller opted to reclassify to join the 2016 class. The 6’7 forward has trimmed down this summer from previously weighing 300 pounds. He scored seven points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 15 minutes against Christ School. He followed up with an MVP performance in an upset win over prestigious Oak Hill Academy, erasing an 18 point half time lead. Reopening his recruiting options and losing 60 pounds has allowed his college interest to boost.

Top 5 College Commits of the Week

5. De'Ron Davis – Indiana

Davis isn’t as physically superior amongst his peers as he was early in his prep career, but Indiana landed a big man who brings aggression and physicality to the program. The core of their roster may look different by the time Davis arrives, but the possibility of playing alongside Thomas Bryant next season could be one of the strongest frontlines in the Big Ten. He’s not overly explosive but he can take a bigger defender out to the midrange or high post, giving him an option to face up and shoot or drive.

4. Mario Kegler – Mississippi State

The recent Oak Hill Academy transfer chose Mississippi State over Indiana. At the high school level, Kegler has the ability to play inside and out but doesn’t seem to have a permanent position yet. Also, bringing consistent effort and aggression will determine his success at the next level. While it isn’t probable that Kegler will reunite with former Callaway teammate, Malik Newman (projected to enter NBA Draft), he will join a talented recruiting class including athletic guard Eli Wright, physical big man Schnider Herard, Lamar Peters, and Tyson Carter. Not to mention the returning skilled big man, Aric Holman.

3. Seventh Woods – North Carolina

Woods earned national recognition at an early age with his YouTube sensation dunks and highlight plays. He doesn’t quite carry the same buzz he had during his freshman year but still projects as a high impact player with definite NBA potential. At 6’1, Woods is undersized as a shooting guard but has his senior season to work on his transition into a point guard. With the potential of North Carolina losing a few players to the 2016 NBA Draft, their projected roster at this point is unknown. Woods’ elite athleticism and defense will allow him to contribute early at North Carolina.

2. TJ Leaf – UCLA

The former Arizona commit chose UCLA over Oregon, teaming up with the talented backcourt duo of Lonzo Ball and Kobe Paras. Leaf will also join Compton Magic teammates Ike Anigbogu, Jaylen Hands (2017), and Jalen Hill (2017). Leaf provides UCLA with a 6’10 versatile forward who can score from different spots on the floor. He projects to have an exceptional college career. The development of his defense and rebounding may determine how long he stays on campus.

1. De'Aaron Fox – Kentucky

Calipari does it again, adding an elite, arguably the top point guard of the 2016 high school class. Fox has great length for his position, combined with quick hands, feet, and reactions. Jamal Murray is likely in the NBA a year from now. It’s a possibility Tyler Ulis is back, but Fox will be an instant impact player when he arrives in Lexington. Fox will join Wenyan Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones as a part of Kentucky’s class, and it would be unrealistic to think they are finished with their recruiting.