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Kentucky Report

By: Darnell "Tate" Johnson

Darnell “Tate” Johnson of “Next Level” has been scouting for over 10 years and has been covering high school basketball since 1990 in New Jersey. He has worked with individuals from the age of 8 to NBA players. He has been covering basketball in Kentucky since 2000. He formed Next Level Player Development with his best friend of over 18 years, former college All-American and NBA player Roshown McLeod. Tate’s expertise is requested when elite camps our looking to invite high level kids to their camps. He has done scouting for Full-Court Magazine and Hoopsreport.com. For comments and question Tate can be reached at nextlevelbball04@gmail.com

2009 Class

As most people realize the 2009 class is not as near talented as the 2008, but it still has its share of talent starting with future UK Wildcat Jon Hood.

Jon Hood (Madisonville North High, Madisonville): Jon is not only the best player in the state he is also one of the top players in the country. With his rapid improvement I wouldn’t be surprised to see this 6’7” dynamite wing in the 2009 McDonalds All-American Game. Jon has the do it all game, he has unlimited range on his jumper, his favorite move is his mid-range pull up jumper and if you give him a step he’ll put it on your head. He is not as good King Rex at this age but his game is comparable.

Richie Phares (Scott County High, Georgetown): Richie is hands down the most polished postman in the state this year. Around the basket he scores with both hands and is unstoppable. This past year he has added good range to his game and his passing ability has picked up. Richie probably will wind up at a high mid major, but if a big conference second tier team took a chance on this 6’7” power forward I feel before it’s all said and done he would be a great asset to the team.

CJ Penny (Anderson County High, Lawrenceville): CJ is a very good wing forward. He doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game. After watching him play numerous times this spring CJ is player that will never hurt is team. He has a great feel and knowledge for the game. He has the ability to be an immediate impact on any mid major he signs with.

Jacob Jenkins (DuPont Manuel High, Louisville): Jacob has impressed me this spring with his ability score in volumes. Jacob has some great offers out there and for whatever school he signs with he will help their offense immensely. If Jacob works on his defense and playmaking more his stock definitely has a chance to rise. With so much pressure to be the man at Manuel High School this year I hope he gets the chance to round out his game. If that happens Jacob may have a shot to make a hard run for Mr. Basketball.

Vee Sanford (Lexington Catholic High, Lexington): Out of everybody in this class Vee might have the highest upside. He is a 6’3” point guard with a high motor, great athletic ability and a clutch jump shooter. With all the stars on Lexington Catholic last year in many games he was their best player on the floor. Vee has great genes with his dad being a high school All-American with offers from UK and Georgia Tech back in the day. With all his talent when Vee really learns the game the sky’s the limit.

Rank/Name School/City HT POS Commitment

1. Jon Hood North Hopkins (Madisonville) 6’6” WF KENTUCKY
2. Richie Phares Scott County (Georgetown) 6’7” PF-C
3. C.J. Penny Anderson (Lawrenceburg) 6’4” WF
4. Jacob Jenkins Manuel (Louisville) 6’4” SG
5. Vince Sanford Jr. Lexington Catholic(Lexington) 6’0” SG
6. Ridge Wilson Central(Louisville) 6’5” PF
7. Ethan Faulkner Elliot County(Sandy Hook) 6’2” PG
8. Darren Ballou Adair County(Columbia) 6’8” C
9. Russ Middleton Mason County(Maysville) 6’4” PG GEORGETOWN(KY)
10.Cameron Clemons Doss (Louisville) 6’3” SG
11.Garrison Collins June Buchanan(Pippa Passes) 6’9” C
12. Aaron Wilson Fulton City(Hickman,) 6’2” PG
13.Leonard Macon Taylor County(Campbellsville) 6’6” PF
14.Josh Crawford Corbin(Corbin) 6’4” SG
15.Wesley Cox Ballard(Louisville) 5’8’ PG
16. Jonathan Ferguson Elliot County (Sandy Hook) 6’2” SG
17. Byron Wright Paducah Tilghman (Paducah) 6’ PG
18.Nick Hudson Dunbar(Lexington) 6’0” SG
19.Andrew Donovan Franklin County (Franklin) 6’7” C
20.Davon Sloan Waggener(Louisville) 5’8” PG
21. Montell Morones Bryan Station(Lexington) 5’11” CG
22. Eric Dunlap Oldham County(Buckner) 5’10” PG
23. Steven McFarland Boone County(Florence) 6’5” SG
24. Matt Clevenger Pikeville (Pikeville) 6’1” PG
25.Chris Dowe Eastern (Louisville) 6’2” SG
26. Larod King North Hardin (Radcliff) 6’6” WF
27. Evan Faulkner Elliot County(Sandy Hook) 6’2” SG
28. James David Strange Pineville(Pineville) 6’0” PG
29. Chase Cox Taylor County(Campbellsville) 6’0” PG
30. Barrett Meyer Franklin County (Frankfort) 6’2” CG
31. OJ Bell Male(Louisville) 6’6” PF
32. Jordan Hickman Bardstown (Bardstown) 6’2” SG
33. Mitch Shover Covington Catholic (Covington) 5’10” PG
34. Deron Linton Lafayette (Lexington) 6’4” PF
35. Trent Maddox Gallatin County (Glencoe) 6’4” WF
36.Jordan Reeves Jeffersontown(Jeffersontown) 6’9” C
37.Chuck Jones Hopkinsville Centra (Madisonville) 6'8' PF
38. Luke Maile Covington Catholic (Covington) 6’4” PF
39.Prince Stewart Henry Clay (Lexington) 5’11” CG
40. Jordan Aumiller Boyle County (Danville) 6’5” PF

Sleeper : Ethan Spurlin Lincoln County (Stanford) 6’5” PF-C

2010 Class

The 2010 class maybe the deepest class in Kentucky history. There are over 20 kids in this class that should play high major to mid major basketball in the future. We start at the top with a very talented guard from Covington Holmes, Ricardo Johnson.

Ricardo Johnson (Covington Holmes High, Covington): We have watched Ricardo play for the last two years but the rest of the state wasn’t welcomed to Ricardo talents till his talent was put on the largest stage at the state championship in Rupp Arena. Ricardo was the catalyst for leading his team to the finals against Mason County. Even though Covington Holmes came up short it wasn’t from lack of effort from Ricardo, who was a star in the game and made the all tournament team. Ricardo can do it all from the point guard, shooting guard or the wing position. This kid is definitely a high major talent.

Ge’Lawn Guyn (Scott County High, Georgetown): Ge’Lawn is a 6’2” combo guard who does it all and leaves it all on the floor. On a team with 7 potential high and mid range D-1 prospects Ge’Lawn maybe the best. This is a kid whose work ethic is beyond approach. The knock on him is that he doesn’t have a true position, when you play as good and as hard as he does it doesn’t matter. Gelawn is getting serious looks from Xavier, Wake Forest and Louisville.

Aaron Cosby (Jeffersontown High, Jeffersontown): Aaron is your prototypal combo guard. He is 6’3 strong, quick and athletic. Aaron is a very consistent outside shooter, finishes hard around the basket while taking hard hits. What we really love about Aaron is he thinks the game, Aaron could lead the state in scoring but he won’t because he lets the game come to him without forcing anything. With J-Town returning most the major players to their team adding Aaron really give them a chance to cut down the nets in Rupp this year. Aaron had verbally committed to University of Massachusetts, but when Travis Ford took the Oklahoma State job he opened up his recruitment. Now he has Minnesota, Louisville, Virginia, Tennessee and Oklahoma State courting his services.

Chad Jackson (Scott County High, Georgetown): Chad may be pound for pound the most talented kid in this class. He has the tools to become a great player. He gets to the whole at will and then finishes. He has struggled in the past with his jumper, which we all know is about confidence. Chad has been one of the top 3 talents in this age group since 4th grade. This is the first time since seeing him play at an early age that it might be getting to him. If he gets rejuvenated, Chad is the high major impact that we always felt he was. Chad has offers from Xavier and West Virginia.

Dakota Euton (Scott County High, Georgetown): Dakota is the best big man in this class. His athletic ability may be limited but what he does well, he does it real well. Dakota is a great shooter and that maybe an understatement. This kid has a great work ethic. When he gets to the University of Kentucky I guarantee you no one out works him. If you surround him a round great athletes, like Kentucky has, Dakota will be a definite asset to the team.

2010

1. Ricardo Johnson Covington Holmes(Covington) 6’5” WF
2. Ge-Lawn Guyn Scott County(Georgetown) 6’0” SG
3. Aaron Cosby Manuel (Louisville) 6’3” SG
4. Chad Jackson Scott County(Georgetown) 6’4” PG-SG
5. Dakota Euton Scott County(Georgetown) 6’7” PF Kentucky
6. Shaquille Wilson Christian County(Hopkinsville) 6’4” SG
7. Josh Sewell Trinity(Louisville) 6’3” WF
8. Aaron Watts McCreay Central(Stearns) 6’1” SG
9. Ian Chiles Ballard(Louisville) 5’11” PG
10.Cody Miler Knox Central(Barbourville) 6’5” WF
11.Taylor Newsome Shelby Valley(Pikeville) 6’3” WF
12.Ashley Hatfield Shelby Valley(Pikeville) 6’5” PF
13. Darnell Davis Hopkinsville(Hopkinsville) 6’5” PF-C
14.Elisha Justice Shelby Valley(Pikeville) 5’9” PG
15.Tate Cox June Buchannan(Pippa Passes) 5’10” PG
16.Elijah Pittman Covington Holmes (Covington) 6’5” PF
17.Deonte Maddox Seneca(Louisville) 6’1” SG
18. Thomas Jackson Jeffersontown(Jeffersontown) 5’11” PG
19.Blaine Green Middlesboro (Middlesboro) 6’3” WF
20. Chris Richards Southern(Louisville) 6’4” PF
21.Jamal Stephenson PRP(Louisville) 6’6” C
22.Andy Earls (Florence) 6’6” PF-C
23.Travis Johnson Grayson County(Leitchfield) 5’11” PG
24. Dan Croft Hopkins County Cen. (Madisonville) 6’8” C
25. D’Carlo Hayes Male(Louisville) 5’11” SG
25.Quintrel Morris Fairdale(Louisville) 6’0” SG
26. Keisten Jones Ballard(Louisville) 6’1” WF
27.Madison Johnson Corbin(Corbin) 6’4” WF
28.Josh Whitaker Hazard(Hazard) 5’11” PG
29.Matt St. John South Laurel(London) 6’6” C
30.Clint Stepp June Buchannan(Pippa Passes) 6’0” SG
31. Zach McElwein Seneca(Louisville) 5’11” CG
32.Jamal Stephenson PRP(Louisville) 6’6” C
33.Richard Kennedy Jeffersontown(Jeffersontown) 5’11” PG
34.Kevin Glenn Male (Louisville) 6’1” CG
35. Darius Drake Lexington 6’1” SG

Sleeper. Phillip Barner Jr. Mason County(Maysville) 6’5” PF

The 2011 class is loaded with a bunch of potential. Right now it’s still too early to tell, but there still is a few studs sitting at the top of the class, starting with the very talented Tony Kimbro Jr.

Tony Kimbro Jr. (DuPont Manuel High, Louisville): If Tony Jr. reaches his full potential; he will have a chance to hear David Stern say his name. Tony Jr. has all the tools; he just needs to put it all together. At his age he is a physical specimen. Tony Jr. causes a mismatch problem against most players he faces; he has the ability to take bigger kids of the dribble and to post up smaller players at will. If he is half the player that Tony Kimbro Sr. was Jr. will be a stud that University of Louisville can’t afford to let leave the city.

Jordan Shanklin (Warren Central High, Bowling Green): Jordan is a dynamo point guard out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Jordan busted on the national scene last year at the Fab Freshman All-American Camp in VA. Since last year’s camp Jordan hasn’t slowed down a bit. He attacks the cup with authority and explosiveness. With his quickness and vertical at 5’11” his mid range jumper is almost unstoppable. Jordan has been offered by Western Kentucky and has South Carolina, Baylor and Purdue looking hard.

Timmy Knipp (Elliot County High, Sandy Hook): Timmy is a silky smooth WF with great basketball instincts. At 6’7” Timmy causes a lot problems for defenses when he plays his true position. When his body fills out Timmy has a chance to be unstoppable. The most unfortunate problem for Timmy, is that he plays for one of the best teams in the state but plays center. Timmy best asset is his outside shot that he hardly gets to take because he’s out of position. Timmy has had contact with Marshall, UK and Western Kentucky.

Marcellus Barksdale (Tates Creek High, Lexington): For a freshman starting varsity last year, Marcellus showed he had great feel for the game. Last year the knock on him was he was 6’3” power forward that couldn’t play away from the basket. After his performance at the Tennessee Elite Camp that question was answered emphatically when continually knocked down the three ball and took people off the dribble. If Marcellus continues to grow he definitely has a chance to play at the major D-1 level.

Josh Stroud (Fairdale High, Louisville): Josh definitely a young man blessed with a lot of talent. He plays with a lot of energy. He falls in the line of a lot of great players that have come through the Ville. He plays above the rim, runs like a greyhound and will D you up. We feel that Josh has barely touched his potential and when that happens, he will have a chance to make a big statement on the national scene.

2011

1. Tony Kimbro Jr. Manuel(Louisville) 6’3” WF
2. Jordan Shanklin Warren Central(Bowling Green) 5’11” PG
3. Marcellus Barksdale Tates Creek(Lexington) 6’2” WF
4. Timmy Knipp Elliot County(Sandy Hook) 6’6” WF
5. Josh Stroud Fairdale (Louisville) 6’4” WF
6. Robbie Stencil Clark County(Winchester) 6’3” WF
7. Travis Civils Madisonville 5’8” SG
8. Corey Key Louisville 6’1” WF
9. Jake McClanahan East Ridge 6’7” C
10.George Fant III Warren Central(Bowling Green) 6’4” PF
11. Treg Setty Mason County(Maysville) 6’4” WF
12. Ryan Fucci Tates Creek(Lexington) 5’11” SG
13. Anthony Strother Belfry(Belfry) 6’4” PF
14. Josh Forrest Paducah Tilghman (Paducah) 6’4” WF
15. Scott Schuette Lexington Catholic(Lexington) 6’3” SG
16. Otis Webb Lexington 6’1” SG
17. Seth Beckham Bryan Station(Lexington) 6’0” WF
18. Kyle King Deming(Deming) 6’0 SG
19. Ryan Hudson University Heights(Hopkinsville) 5’11’ CG
20. Jordan Gilbert Mason County(Maysville) 5’8” PG

Sleeper. Donovan Kates Christian County (Hopkinsville) 6’4” WF

The 2012 class is in the process of making a statement on the national scene. This class should continue the success of the last two classes and keep building the state pride on high school basketball talent. The top three in the class could easily been ranked in any order. All three individuals have the potential to be a future McDonalds All-American.

Tamron Manning (Scott County High, Georgetown): Out of all the kids to come through Kentucky high school basketball powerhouse Scott County, Tamron has the potential to wind up the best. He has the tools to dominate his age group whenever he wants. He also has the privilege of guarding two high D-1 prospects in practice every day (Ge’Lawn Guyn and Chad Jackson). Being one of the few 8th graders invited to the Tennessee Elite Camp, Tamron stood out with some kids much older than him. He prides himself on the defensive end. He works extremely hard, which is a tribute to the program Coach Hicks in building down Scott County.

Jaylen Beckham (Lexington Catholic High, Lexington): Jaylen maybe one of the best defensive players in his class nationally. After his showing at the Fab Freshman All-American Camp, he made a statement on the court that he definitely is one of the elite kids in the 2012 class. He has no problem getting to the rack on anybody. He finishes great with contact; his only knock is a consistent jump shot, which he works on daily. If I was to compare him to anybody at this stage, it would be Kentucky great Rajon Rondo.

Desmond Dorsey (J-Town High, Jeffersontown): Desmond is probably the smoothest player in this class. He can play the one, two or the three. His game is so cool; he is never in a rush and has great composure. He has been making noise in Louisville since his elementary days. If you put Desmond on the court with grown men you wouldn’t know he was an 8th grader on the floor. If he continues to work as hard as he’s been working, when it’s all said and done we should be mentioning his name with some of the Louisville greats.

2012

1. Tamron Manning Scott County (Georgetown) 6’2 WF
2.Jaylen Beckham Lexington(Catholic) 6’1” CG
3.Desmond Dorsey J-Town(Jeffersontown) 6’0” SG
4.Isaiah Ivey Frankfort 5’8” SG
5.Chris Harrison Louisville 5’9” PG
6.Darius Wade Lexington 5’8” CG
7.T.J. Williams Louisville 6’ PF
8.Ryan Whetsel Ashland 5’10” PF
9.Tanner Broughton Barbourville 6’0” WF
10.Jordan Brewer Larue County 5’10” WF
11.Hal Bush Louisville 5’7” PG
12.Darnell Ross Louisville 6’4” C
13. Cody Epperson Somerset 6’1” PF
14. Kyle Bush Ashland 5’6” PG
15. Josh Fletcher Breathitt County

Sleeper B.J. Combs Hazard

I’ve been scouting for over 10 years, so I don’t want to over evaluate these younger kids or add extra pressure to them. So while ranking the 2013 and 2014 class, I just went by the kids I have seen play and the potential I see in them at this age. By no means should any kid be discouraged by their ranking or by not being rank at all. I want you to realize in 7th and 8th grade Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose weren't ranked. Derrick said he made it a point that when he went up against a kid he saw ranked that he made sure he put his best effort forward and then some. So note, for you kids ranked watch your back, every time you step on the court somebody will be coming after your spot. So, congratulations to the kids that made the rankings; and to the kids that didn't: keep working hard and you'll have a chance to earn a spot when we see you play next.

2013

1.Braxton McFarland Lexington, KY 6’3” C
2. Larry Morton Lexington 6’1” WF
3.James Quick Louisville, KY 6’1” C
4.David Levitch Louisville, KY 5’6’ PG
5.Omar Prewitt Montgomery County (Mt. Sterling) 5’10” SG
6.Dameon Robinson Louisville, KY 6’1” C
7.Eric Trigg Lexington, KY 5’7” PG
8.Andy Tillman Louisville, KY 5’7” SG
9.Blake Sanders Corbin, KY 5’8” SG
10. Dominique Hawkins Richmond, KY 5’7” PG
11. Darryl Hicks Shelbyville, KY 6’ CF
12.Taylor Gover Somerset,KY 5’5” PG
13.Quinn Richardson Georgetown 5’10” PG
14. Lavonne Holland Louisville, KY 5’6” CG
15.Jamal Adu-Peasah Lexington, KY 5’6” PG

Sleeper: James Underwood Clark County(Winchester) 6’1” PF-C

2014

1. Dylan Portwood Georgetown. KY 6’1” PF
2.Brandon Hatton Covington, KY 5’6” SG
3.Quentin Snyder Louisville, KY 5’5” PG
4.Christian Cunningham Lexington 5’5” PG
5. Jackson Davis Lexington, KY 6’3” C
6.Marcellous Washington Lexington, KY 4’7’ PG
7.Zach McCormick Covington, KY 5’8” PF
8. Dakari Johnson Lexington, KY 6’1’ C
9. Charles Grundy Lexington, KY 5’10” WF
10.Ryan Dishman Somerset, KY 5’9” G

Sleeper. Derion Burns Flemingsburg, KY 4’11” PG

POSTED: 6-26-2008

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