Real Deal in the Rock standouts
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - There were a number of top prospects and top performances at the Real Deal in the Rock, but there were five prospects who made a special impression on Rivals.com, and here is why:
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Real Deal in the Rock Standouts
PG Cory Joseph
6-3/175, Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep
Joseph is a prospect who steadily raised his stock with his play over the high school season with Findlay Prep. Over the weekend the ranked three-star prospect dramatically raised his stock. Over the high school season, he proved that he was not just a shooter, but a true point guard who can run a team and has winning intangibles. At the Real Deal in the Rock, Joseph proved that he is a high level athlete with explosiveness going to the rim and impressive quickness on both sides of the ball. Quickly climbing the ranks of 2010 point guards, Joseph just might skip a fourth star on his way to five.
6-6/190, Sheman (Texas) High
In the mold of a Harrison Barnes, Clark is a wing prospect who can do about everything a coach would want from that position. He runs the floor in transition, slashes and finishes with authority, can stick a three-pointer, pursues the ball off the glass and defends multiple positions at a high level. A high-energy player who appears to be the consummate teammate, Clark makes winning plays all over the court. Like Joseph, Clark is a prospect whose offer list will take off over the summer.
6-6/180, Atlanta Westlake
A long, wiry athlete, Kendrick is exceptionally smooth with the basketball. A 6 feet 6, he plays in the mold of a point forward like Evan Turner of Ohio State. One difference between the two, however, is that Kendrick is also a smooth shooter with range. He does need to beef up some and improve at finishing around contact, but Kendrick has that special ability to get where he wants to get on the court with seemingly little effort while always maintaining vision for the assist pass. Already claiming 29 offers, Kendrick has his game to a level where it is meaningless to continue keeping count.
6-8/210, Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep
Thompson has already established himself as one of the elite prospects in the 2010 class, but what is impressive about Thompson is the progression he is making as a prospect. For one, he is up to 228 pounds. In fact he is developing the size of a four/five and not the potential four/three that he was prior to his weight gain. Thompson has also taken a big step forward skill wise. The lefty appeared to be going out of his way to take the ball to the basket with his right hand and then finish with his right hand. Not only was the focused effort on improving a weakness impressive, the fact that he was quite successful in the endeavor was also impressive.
PF Luke Cothron
6-8/210, Red Springs (N.C.) Flora Macdonald Academy
Cothron was good last week playing for the Boo Williams travel squad, but he was exceptional this past weekend a the Real Deal in the Rock playing for his usual travel team Southeast Elite. Always a skilled offensive player, Cothron made plays both around the basket and on the perimeter facing the basket. What really stood out, however, was his energy on the defensive end. He blocked a high number of shots and cleaned up the glass with regularity. Whether or not Cothron becomes a national recruit remains to be seen, but the schools in the Southeast and Midwest who are recruiting him will be waging a fierce battle.
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