#OTRHoopsReport: 2017 Signing Period Special Part 2 – November 15, 2017
Class of 2018 forward Darius Days of Gainesville, Florida, is a part of a fantastic signing class for LSU and coach Will Wade in Baton Rouge. Photo cred – Jon Lopez/Nike
November is the time where prospects put pen to paper and choose their college destination. Years of hard work and competition are finally be rewarded with a signature on a National Letter of Intent (NLI). For college coaches they are hoping that recruiting classes can blossom into wins, conference championships and hopefully a run into March Madness. Here is a look at three SEC schools who made a splash with a big 2018 signing class.
By: @JLHemingwayPSB
Arkansas
6’8″ PF Reggie Chaney
Findlay Prep / Frisco, Texas
OTR Grade: 4.5 Star
Latest Eval / Nike EYBL Session III (May 2017)
Chaney is a power forward with soft touch, good feet and nice energy on the court. He is active, an interior scorer and a rebounder. He scored 11 points, 7 rebounds per game while shooting 61% from the floor. He did not attempt a 3pt shot. He is only shooting 58% from the floor.
Ethan Henderson
Little Rock, Arkansas / Parkview Magnet
247 Grade: 4 star
Latest Eval/ Adidas Memorial Day (May 2016)
He is a great length along with quick hops that makes him an effective finisher on the break and a good shot blocker on the defensive end. He is an athlete with good lateral speed that can defend multiple positions. He gets after it on the offensive glass and had a couple of spectacular plays at the rim in transition and in the half court.
Keyshawn Embery
Midwest City / Oklahoma City, OK
247 Grade: 4 star
Isaiah Joe
Northside / Fort Smith, AR
247 Grade: 3 star
Desi Sills
Jonesboro / Jonesboro, AR
247 Grade: 3 star
Florida
6’3 PG Andrew Nembhard
Montverde Academy, Montverde, FL
OTR Grade: 4.5 Star
Latest Eval / Hoop Hall Classic (January 2017)
Nemhard burst onto the scene today with a very efficient game from the PG position. He scored a game high 22 points on 9-11 shooting which included two from long range. He is physically strong and a good finisher at the bucket. He is Canadian born. — Jonathan Hemingway
Keyontae Johnson
Oak Hill / Oak Hill, VA
OTR Grade: 4 star
Latest Eval / City of Palms Classic (December 2016)
Johnson is a productive wing forward. He does a lot of things pretty well, not one thing that he can hang his hat on currently. His hustle ability, athleticism and his knack to be at the right spot at the right make him a valuable part of IMG Academy’s success. He finishes plays very well.
6’2 G Noah Locke
McDonogh School / Owings Mills, MD
OTR Grade: 4 star
Latest Eval / Nike EYBL Session III (May 2017)
Locke is one of the premier shooters on the EYBL circuit. He is shooting over 45% from 3pt range (39-85) and more than half of his total FG are from 3pt range. He is averaging 18 points per game, but there is not another part of his game that is notable. — Jonathan Hemingway
LSU
6’8″ PF Nazreon Reid
Roselle Catholic / Roselle, NJ
OTR Eval Grade: 5 star
Latest Eval / Hoop Hall Classic (January 2017)
Reid showed terrific versatility this weekend posting a triple double (24/11r/10a). He also finished with 5 blocks versus Weaver HS (CT). His hands are what impressed me the most in this game. He was great at finishing in transition, but he was able to pass the ball just as well in the open court. He still floats a little along the perimeter and does not always demand the ball to score in a mismatch. However, he is an efficient player who has the physical attributes to be a top 20 player nationally. — Jonathan Hemingway
6’4″ PG Ja’Vonte Smart
Scotlandville Magnet / Baton Rouge, LA
OTR Eval Grade: 5 star
Latest Eval / Hoop Hall Classic (January 2017)
Smart has settled into his role as a bigger PG. Like we notes earlier in the year, he is at his best as a facilitating point guard. His outside shot is still a work in progress but the size / handle make him an elite player at the position right now. — Brandon Clay
6’8″ F Darius Days
The Rock / Gainesville, FL
OTR Grade: 4.5 Star
Latest Eval / Nike EYBL Session III (May 2017)
Days is a bouncy athlete around the rim. He is good at finishing put backs and other incidental buckets. His value comes in the range on his jumper while he stands at 6-8. He picked up with Nike South Beach for this weekend and averaged nearly 15 points a game while shooting 60% from the field while also connecting on 6-16 3s in four games. He also hauled in 6 rebounds per game. — Jonathan Hemingway
Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB
