How Will JUCO Effect These Guys
By Kirven Lang
Junior College basketball has gotten a lot better over the last 5-10 years or so. Not just from a talent standpoint, but from facilities, technology, player treatment as well as recruitment. From a talent perspective, we can’t really determine if it has gotten better because it has always been good but with the new academic changes by the NCAA, starting with the class of 2016, more talent has come through the JUCO ranks. With current junior college players like Jay Scrubb, who is on multiple draft boards, attending USA Trials as the first to do so from an JUCO player as we know. Maybe at another time, I can go more in-depth about the improvements of junior college basketball but for now, there are a few guys who make a splash on the JUCO scene next year.
Currently in Alabama there are four big time prospects who have already made their decisions to play their college basketball at the junior college level next season.
Dallas Howell is known around the state as one of the better players in the class. He had several mid major Division-I offers with some high majors flirting before he suffered a knee injury prior to the travel season. The 6’7” swingman decided to sign with College of Southern Idaho. As a high school qualifier, Howell will only have to play one season of junior college basketball and that alone will make him more sought after as he will have three years to play at a Division-I program. If he has a solid frosh season at CSI, expect for Howell to rack up a lot of offers at the northwest powerhouse where basketball is a priority.
Currently in Alabama there are four big time prospects who have already made their decisions to play their college basketball at the junior college level next season.
Dallas Howell is known around the state as one of the better players in the class. He had several mid major Division-I offers with some high majors flirting before he suffered a knee injury prior to the travel season. The 6’7” swingman decided to sign with College of Southern Idaho. As a high school qualifier, Howell will only have to play one season of junior college basketball and that alone will make him more sought after as he will have three years to play at a Division-I program. If he has a solid frosh season at CSI, expect for Howell to rack up a lot of offers at the northwest powerhouse where basketball is a priority.
Another fairly known kid in the state is Tyler Lang. He also had mid major Division-I offers but suffered a knee injury like Howell, which set him back. Lang has a lot of suitors who are after him right now and will be effective wherever he goes with his high motor and versatility to play the 3 and 4. Academically he will need to stay two years. At 6’6” with a smooth stroke and quick twitch ability, he’s a perfect guy to be successful at the JUCO level and will be one of the top guys coming out of the class of 2022.
Braxton Williams was the first kid in the state in the class of 2020 to verbally commit to a school and Coastal Alabama-Bay Minette was that school of choice. Coastal is one of the best junior college programs in the state of Alabama and one of the few with on campus dorms as Alabama junior college scholarships aren’t required to provide housing. As talented as Williams is, he could’ve easily chosen a program in a higher level league but decided to stay close to home. He’s one of the best kept secrets in the state and has a chance to be a special player at Coastal.
Last but not least, because there will be many more who sign with junior colleges, is Sedrick Pettway of Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa. Pettway recently inked with Shelton State, the perennial power in the state of Alabama. Another under the radar kid like Williams and about the same size, 6’5”, who can score in a variety of ways with athleticism. Shelton State is known for pumping out prospects especially with Joe Eatmon at the helm now so expect Pettway to be a four year prospect when its his time to make that decision.
As more prospects begin to make decisions as the playoffs are in full swing, we will provide more insight on those guys and how effective we believe they will be at the next level.
Last but not least, because there will be many more who sign with junior colleges, is Sedrick Pettway of Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa. Pettway recently inked with Shelton State, the perennial power in the state of Alabama. Another under the radar kid like Williams and about the same size, 6’5”, who can score in a variety of ways with athleticism. Shelton State is known for pumping out prospects especially with Joe Eatmon at the helm now so expect Pettway to be a four year prospect when its his time to make that decision.
As more prospects begin to make decisions as the playoffs are in full swing, we will provide more insight on those guys and how effective we believe they will be at the next level.