Johannes Kirsipuu, Scotland Campus: Kirsipuu’s game has always been a bit ahead of his time. As a freshman, he lit up St. Augustine for 43 points (on the strength of 10 3-pointers). As a sophomore, he erupted for 35 points to pioneer SCS in a win over Silver Oak Academy of Maryland. He kick-started this season with a 40-point performance against AIM High Academy (MI) and has since been a spark off the bench for Prep Red. Plying his trade against guys 2-3 years older than him, Kirsipuu continues to gauge his grit as a shot-making, deft passing guard who applies defensive pressure all across the court.
He’s made incremental improvements in both his attacking and how well he sees the floor and uses on-ball defensive tactics to instigate turnovers and trigger plays. He currently owns a 3.5 GPA and is beginning to circulate and draw attention among Ivy and Patriot League programs. Columbia and Lehigh recently inquired about the 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard out of Estonia.
Jahvon John, Scotland Campus–The 6-foot-6 wing continues to play bigger than he is, battling for supremacy on the boards and scoring around the rim. He’s a sneaky explosive threat who can score in traffic and turn in a momentum-bolstering dunk. Defensively, John has evolved into one of the program’s more versatile pieces who can adjust to fronting bigger players within the confines of the post. He’s been opening up a mid-range and 3-point shot, increasing with his guard-like skill set. John recently earned interest from VMI. The Virginia native additionally has steady Division-I interest from the likes of UNC Asheville, UMES, Hampton, and several others. John’s most unique attribute is his ability to make hustle plays and utilize the strength he possesses in overpowering smaller defenders.
Stanley Poliniere, Scotland Campus–The 6-foot point guard from France is a true traditional point guard who knows how to make those around him beneficiaries of his presence. His pass-first, quarterback style was evidenced by a recent 10-assist performance during a win over Bristol Prep (TN). Poliniere is proficient in attacking the rim and manufacturing points, as evidenced during a 24-point performance against KEBA Prep and multiple 20+ point games this season.
He’s improved incrementally, however, as a spot-up shooter who can knock down the outside shot with reliability. Spending more time devoting to this component of his craft has tuned up his three level scoring. Poliniere recently earned a Division-1 offer from legendary NBA guard Lindsey Hunter and first-year Mississippi Valley State University head coach Lindsey Hunter.
Terell Strickland, Scotland Campus–The well-built guard has come roaring back from an injury that sidelined him for the first few weeks of the season, showcasing a playmaking acumen and an all around scoring skill set. Strickland’s ability to instigate turnovers and convert them into points, along with his outside shooting has energized the guard-laden Knights, which enter the 2020 semester with a number of highly-acclaimed matchups against national heavy hitters. Strickland has the upside of a late bloomer at point guard, as he’s shown promise as a facilitator and racked up multiple 5+ assists since darting his way to significant minutes. Strickland erupted for 19 points during a recent through 144-75 thumping of Bristol Prep (TN), infecting the lineup with a swagger and a toughness with his two-way presence. Wagner and several Division-I programs are beginning to actively pursue the Florida native.
Andreus Muten, Scotland Campus–The 6-foot-7 Class of 2020 prospect is a unique threat with his length and ability to stretch out defenses with his outside shooting ability. A lefty, Muten has developed a reliable inside scoring skill set and a reliable shallow water jumper and ability to take rim protectors out of the paint with smooth short range shots from four to seven feet from the rim. He’s got a brother in arms in the post in South Alabama commit and man-child Caleb White, who has the tools to be a daily double double threat. Muten is a fluid athlete who can guard multiple positions and move his feet along the perimeter, creating a tough matchup for opposing guards.
Trey Davis, Scotland Campus–The 6-foot-1 guard from Tennessee has been a revelation as a high-scoring guard who can take game-changing matters into his own hands. He’s had a handful of 25+ point games and has displayed an ability to hit deep, contested 3-pointers and score with ease on the drive and via the floater.
Becoming more of a creator and showing he could play both guard spots has made him more of an appealing prospect. He recently garnered an offer from Division-II Clarion University, which has a verbal pledge from Scotland’s other high-scoring guard, Gerald Jarmon III. Davis should continue to generate interest and offers from Division-II and low Division-I programs in 2020, especially given the way he can break open games and dictate the offensive flow when his full scoring proficiency is on point.
Amir Nesbitt, The Miller School (VA)–The high-scoring 6-foot-1 guard is known for his oft-attacking game and ability to get to the rim and generate offense. Yet it has been his defensive aptitude and ability to get in the passing lanes that has drawn notice lately. Nesbitt has the wealth of experience necessary to lead by example at this level, having played at a high level since he was a freshman. Beyond his veteran savvy and know-how, the seasoned guard brings a toughness and drive to win games that separates him from others at this level of play.
Chase Thompson, S4G Acad. (NC)–Tennessee Tech appears to be the highest on the bulldozing 6-foot-7, 240-pound scoring threat, who has authored multiple performances of 37+ points this season. The Nebraska native has fled obscurity this season, putting turning in eye-opening scoring outbursts against high level junior colleges and nationally ranked prep schools as the program has increased its strength of schedule. He’s got a knack for scoring in the one on one game, as he’s able to uitilize a nifty spin move to free up his shot in traffic. He’s also been a reliable outside shooter who can reel off 3-pointers in succession and spark runs. His imposing size gives him an upper hand on smaller defenders when he gets into the lane.
Sam Benton, Florida Central Point Christian Academy–The offensively savvy 5-foot-9 Class of 2020 guard has an ability to adjust his game based on what the defense gives him. This has enabled him to make a steady tool out of a soft floater from seven to 12 feet away from the rim, a shot that’s increasingly difficult to guard. Benton has also improved the speed on his shot release, an aspect that’s mirrored his ascension has a routine 20+ point scorer who has authored several 30+ point performances.
Damerius Wash, Daytona State (JUCO)–The well-built 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard has been the most consistent scorer out of the back court for first-year head coach Martin McCann. Walsh, a proven three-level scorer out of DME Academy (also in Daytona Beach, Fla.) has put together multiple games 20+ points on less than 13 shot attempts.
Similar to last year’s JUCO Player of the Year Tyson Jolly (now at SMU), Walsh has also cemented his status as one of the more reliable rebounding guards, averaging 6.2 boards to supplement his 15.6 PPG. Wash scored 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting during a recent 99-82 win over Delta College.
Issa Mohammed, Daytona State (JUCO)–The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward has the build of an MMA fighter and the chance to be one of the most gifted freshman scorers in the country in JUCO. With his wildly athletic finishing and knack for skying in for ferocious putback dunks, Mohammed has been an interior asset while making consistency a livelihood at Daytona State. He put together a memorable performance as he went off for 16 points (7-for-14 FG) and 15 boards during a recent loss to Northwest Florida State. The blend of strength and bouncy athleticism should make Mohammed a center piece of a Daytona State team that’s looking to get healthy and have all of its pieces readily available in 2020.
Marseilles Caston, Northwest Florida State (JUCO)–The explosive guard out of Potter’s House Christian has been a willing scorer, averaging 16 PPG and shooting a scalding 49 percent from 3-point territory. His rapid emergence as a dead-eye outside shooter is best evidence by his performance against Coastal Alabama, when he torched the nets to the tune of 26 points on 8-of-16 from beyond the arc. Caston averaged 24 PPG during one vital four game stretch in late November to mid-December, realizing his role as the focal point out of the back court.
