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Introduction: Kodi Justice class of 2014

By: Jeff Meadows

Usually by July, all of the undiscovered talent has been discovered and everyone is familiar with one another teams and prospects alike but this summer, there’s an exception to the rule and that exception is Kodi Justice. Kodi is a 6’5 (PG) who really is a (PG), not a (W) that posses average dribbling skills like most so called "Big (PG's). I first got the opportunity to watch Kodi play for the first time a couple of weeks ago at the "Summer Sizzle" 4^th of July Holiday Tournament in Mesa, AZ. Kodi’s AAU team at the time (AZ Pharaohs Elite) was facing a very good, talented, long and athletic Las Vegas Dogcatchers Elite squad. What was first thought to be a one-sided affair ended up coming down to the final seconds as the Las Vegas Dogcatchers Elite would get by off the skin of their teeth with a 1 point victory. In the loss Kodi had 34pts, 10rebs and 10asst (7, 3ptrs).

Last weekend, I had the chance to watch Kodi play once again at Chad Groth’s Elite 8 Summer Prep which was held at Sierra Linda HS in Phoenix, AZ and once again, Kodi put on a clinic. Scoring from deep, mid range and taking the defender off the dribble repeatedly. In just two weeks time, things have changed CONSIDERABLY for instance, two weeks ago Kodi was playing for the AZ Pharaohs Elite and as of this weekend, Kodi will be playing alongside HoopsReport’s class of 2012’s #1 ranked player the country Shabazz Muhammad, HoopsReport’s #29 rated prospect in the class of 2012 Winston Shepard and HoopsReport’s #23 ranked prospect in the class of 2012 Robert Upshaw as the new edition (more like secret weapon) of #11 Dream Vision. "I’ve been playing basketball for a very long time" said Kodi Justice "I just never played on an AAU team before".

KODI JUSTICE PLAYER EVALUATION

Kodi is a very talented prospect and is a fiery competitor. Kodi’s size(6’5) and his natural(PG) skills, ability and high basketball I.Q. put’s him head and shoulders above the vast majority of his classmates. Offensively, Kodi is beyond hard to guard due to the fact that as a defender, you can’t sag off because he’s a marksman outside shooter mid range or deep, if you play him close, Kodi’s foot speed, quickness, exceptional ball handling skills and moves will easily get Kodi past the defender much more often than not. Kodi is also a very good offensive and defensive rebounder and can defend 1-3. Kodi is a high major prospect and is the state of Arizona’s top prospect in the class of 2014.

Both times that I’ve watched Kodi play, I was almost overly impressed but at the same time I also wondered if his performances were flukes but the more I would see him play, the more I realized that his performances were not flukes but quality basketball being played at a high level the entire time that Kodi’s on the floor offensive and defensively. Kodi was so impressive that HoopsReport debuted Kodi at #34 in our class of 2014 Top 60 National Rankings.

When speaking with Kodi’s father it became obvious why Kodi is the player that he is, "Ever since Kodi was around 5 years old I’ve been taking him to different parks and gyms to play against the older kids" said Chad Justice "Kodi is definitely prepared for this moment". This will be a very big week for Kodi as he will be playing on the biggest stage of his young career but I look for Kodi to take the rest of the country by surprise and put in some major work as he begins his journey to cementing himself as a national top prospect.

To view HoopsReport’s National Player Rankings “CLICK HERE”

This article is associated with the following player(s):
Justice, Kodi

POSTED: 7-21-2011

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