With the pandemic leaving unprecedented uncertainty hovering over New York state and beyond, it is low to mid major prospects who will likely be hampered.
Four star and five stars continue to pile up the offers, even if coaches can’t make it out to see them until April.
Yet for every high profile recruit who is overhyped, there is an unsung and diamond in the rough caliber recruit who could sneak into a higher level and author prominence.
Two of the more obscure guys who could raise their profile while defying the limitations of Covid are Kingston (NY) guards Clayton Pattillo and Shy’quan Royal, both battle tested guards instrumental in leading the Section 9/NYS program to a first ever state final four berth two years ago.
On the road to this unprecedented milestone was a victory over traditional New York power Mount Vernon in the state playoffs.
With his high energy style and maddening 3-pointers, Pattillo is the 6-foot-1 off guard on whom Kingston has leaned for that big, momentum bolstering 3-pointer.
He averaged 17 points, five assists and , three boards as a junior, helping the team to a 17-4 record before Covid set in and cancelled everything.
Pattilo also hit 74 3-pointers on the season, good for second in school history.
Beyond his catch and stick game and ability to engineer runs with his scoring, Pattillo is a tough perimeter defender who can match up with multiple positions and rebound it exceptionally well for a guard.
With his defensive versatility and stout on ball defense, Royal is able to backbone the team. He’s able to clamp down on guards and also close out on shooters and block and alter shots, a rare trait for a guard.
His do it all presence is evidenced by the 15 points, 10 boards, six assists, and three blocks he averaged as a junior last season.
A two time All Section First Team selection, Royal has all the attributes to break out if there is a season in 2020-21.
Given his three level scoring and ability to put a body on nearly every position on the court at 6-foot-3, he brings an invaluable presence as a returning starter with a veteran savvy.
