Coming out of summer basketball session, the Tennessee market is heating up just like the weather. As the kids return to school and chatter about who had a great summer basketball circuit, here are a few under-‐the-‐radar risers to watch during the 2017-‐18 season.
Demontay Dixon, 6-10, Summit High School, Springhill, TN
Dixon, class of 2018, is from middle Tennessee and has played well this past summer session. The 6-‐10 post is very versatile around the basket. He has a unique ability to handle the ball in the open court and puts you in the mindset of Anthony Davis with the ball in the open court. He can shoot it well from beyond the arc and has tremendous footwork for a big man. Summit High School went for a deep run in last years state tournament. Dixon averaged 17.9 ppg. 7 Rb., 2 Blks., 2 Steals, 3 Asst per game. He’s looking for a break out season, and everyone better watch out when he steps on the court. The kid is D1 major and mid-‐major material. We will be following Dixon closely this winter.
Cole Chaudoin, 6’7, Martin Luther King High School, Nashville, TN
Chaudoin, class of 2018 wing, plays for Martin Luther King High School, Nashville, TN. Coming into the 2017 summer circuit, Chaudoin received great reviews from the SEBA (Southeast Basketball Academy), Atlanta, Ga. He played very well and the camp coaches loved him. He averages 8 ppg., 6 Rb., 1 steal, 1 block, and 2 assist per game. He’s looking to dominate his senior and has several D3 schools of interest including North Central College, Birmingham Southern, Rhodes College, Cornell College (IA), and Sewanee. With a great senior year, he has the potential to lock down several D2 offers.
Gabe Reasor, 6’0, Dohn Prep Academy, Cincinnati, OH
Reasor, class of 2018 PG, who is very flashy with the ball, will take his talent and transfer from Franklin Classical High School, Franklin, TN to Ohio to play his senior year for newly opening Dohn Prep Academy and Coach Travis McAvene. The kid is a perfect floor general and a master in the pick and roll offense. His handles are tremendous and he loves to set his teammates up to make great plays. This has a major upside, especially if he goes into the Cincinnati area and improves on decision making and work on being more consistent with his jump shot. He averages 14.4 ppg., 2 Rbg., 3 steals, 7 assist, and 1 blk. per game. He plays his AAU basketball for Tennessee EDGE and has led the team all summer. I’m expecting big things to come from this kid during the 2017-‐18, basketball season. I am expecting this kid to go D2 or better.
Daniel Belser, 6’0, Overton High School, Nashville, TN
Belser, class of 2018, is a SG who can fill it up quickly from various moves. The kid can take you off the bounce and score in traffic, or he can simply stop and hit the deep ball with consistency. He has great court awareness and can play either the point or shooting guard positions. Belser is coming off a great 2017 basketball circuit of which he average 10 ppg., 2 Rbg., 2 steals, and 4 assist per game. Belser currently has interest from Newberry College, MontClair St, Goshen College and Claflin University.
Jahari Reed, 6’2, Straford High School, Nashville, TN
Reed, class of 2018, is a very versatile player when he’s on the floor. He can run the point, spot up and shoot the ball and play the role as a slasher from the wing. He has great size and can score around the basketball. Averaging 15.5 ppg, 6 Rb, 3 assist, 1 blk, and 1 steal a game, his high school coach will look to him for more scoring to help the team compete in a very touch conference. If he has a breakout senior season, the kid has opportunity to go D1 NAIA, D3, or D1 Juco.
Montez Gray, 6’3, LaVergne High School, LaVergne, TN
Gray, class of 2018, wing, is a leaper who rebounds well and finishes with authority in traffic. He plays above the rim and is a tremendous protector around the basket. He has to work on his ball handling and jump shot this off-‐season. If he can improve in those areas, he would be a great fit at the D2, NAIA level. He averages 15.5ppg, 9 Rb, 3 Blk, 2 assist, and 1 steal per game.
Gray Purkey, 6’0, Martin Luther King High School, Nashville, TN
Purkey, class of 2018, SG, has tremendous range from downtown. He needs to work on being more consistent with his jump shot, but when he’s on, there’s no stopping him. He shoots about 39% for behind the arc and plays great defense. For a Martin Luther King team that lost several key players, Purkey is going to be called on for help. He’s averaging 9 ppg, 2 Rb, 2 assist, 1 steal and 3.4 made 3’s per game. He is currently getting interest for several D3 schools.
Matt Dial, 6’5, CPA, Nashville, TN
Dial, class of 2018 wing, who plays well both, in the post or on the wing, can score the ball well. He has great footwork and rebounds relentlessly in the paint. He’s a smart player and looks to make an immediate impact the moment he steps on the court. He needs to improve ball handling and add size. He averages 9.9 ppg, 5 Rbg, 2 assist, and 1 steal per game. He currently has interest from several top ranked D3 programs.
David Smith, Jr., 6’5, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN
Smith, class of 2018 wing, who plays for Coach Marlin Simms (Coach of the year Region VI,
2003-‐04) at Cane Ridge High school, is coming off a tremendous junior season. The Ridge will be the team to beat again this season in metro Nashville, and Smith will be the go to guy. He has great handles and can shoot the ball well from the arc. He has the ability to bring the ball in transition and make great decisions as he attacks the basket. His 2017 summer circuit was playing for Team Thadd. He averages 17.9 ppg., 7 Rb., 3 assist., 2 steals, and 2 blks per game. He is a major D1 prospect, with interest from schools out of the S.E.C and his stock is rising. Keep your eyes on this kid.
John Howard, Jr., 6’1, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN
Howard, class of 2018 PG, who plays bigger than he looks, had a great summer 2017 circuit. He also plays for Coach Marlin Simms at Cane Ridge. Howard has grown into a great PG, but his best attributes are his ability to lock down opposing players defensively. He’s very quick for his size, and he’s a great on ball defender. When he’s locked in mentally, he can cause problems against point guards handling the ball in the open court. He sees the floor well and shoots with consistency. His 2017 summer circuit was with the Music City Heat, and he’s ready for a big senior year. He averages 9.7ppg., 2.7 Rbs., 3.4 assist., and 2 steals per game. The kid can have a breakout year.
