Preps scramble to find hoops scholarships
Chandler senior Carson Kelly is a blur on the court, non-stop energy, who will break down defenses off the dribble, finding the tiniest of seams on his way to the basket.
In the lane, he weaves his way through, double-pumping defenders in the air, making the extra move to duck away from a potential block to find the bottom of the net.
The 5-foot-10 point guard showed off his skills in the first two games to open the season last week with eye-popping moments, averaging 26 points.
But Kelly can’t seem to find an NCAA Division I coach who is interested in him.
His only offer has come from Scottsdale Community College.
Kelly isn’t alone. He is among so many seniors who feel they can play Division I college basketball, but are in a holding pattern during the pandemic and the NCAA rule changes.
In October, the NCAA Division I Council granted all winter sport athletes, no matter how many years of eligibility they had left, an extra year to play.
At the same time, it approved college transfers immediate eligibility if it is their first time transferring.
Who is feeling the pinch the most? High school seniors. Guys like Kelly and his 6-foot-8 teammate, center Nicholas Riley, who might not be the elite of the elite but good enough to draw Division I interest, only to be left out because there likely will be no room on those 2021-22 rosters.
Like Kelly, Riley has an offer from SCC. Elijah Johnson, another talented Chandler senior, has been offered by George Fox University, an NCAA Division III school in Oregon. Division III colleges don’t give athletic scholarships but can offer academic aid.
“I’m in contact with several schools about Nick and Carson but again schools are playing it safe and are in wait-andsee mode because of that transfer pool and extra year of eligibility,” Chandler coach Jonathan Rother said.
Kelly, like so many, has had to be patient.
“It’s tough knowing that everybody got their year back but I know I just have to keep working hard and stay patient,” Kelly said. “I can’t control it so I can’t worry about it.
“I just have to keep working and focus on the season with my team.”
Phoenix St. Mary’s senior guard Keiren Brown made The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona team last season. Brown, a tough, physical guard who led the Knights to the 4A semifinals, is another being left out on the offers.
“Time will tell the impact on this ruling,” said St. Mary’s coach Damin Lopez, a former Pepperdine assistant coach. “I’m sure there are some coaches who can’t wait to get rid of their seniors and have a new class come in.
“The main thing for our guys, and particularly KP (Brown), is to stay healthy, fit, and when the chance provides itself, be ready to strike and get it done. We control what we can control. We all will work hard and be ready.”
Spillover to class of ‘22?
Glendale Deer Valley coach Jed Dunn said this new NCCA allowance has affected
seniors in all sports.
“My daughter is experiencing it currently with volleyball,” he said. “The vast majority of schools are not in need of anyone from the class of 2021 but I am a firm believer that all things work out for good.”
Paradise Valley has two college-level players: Moses Demalek has committed to Division II Colorado State-Pueblo and Nic Giliberto is committed to Division III Augustana.
“Most years, D.II, D.III and NAIA level players often wait until after the school season to commit so that they can get as much film seen as possible,” Paradise Valley basketball coach Cody Bardet said. “However, this year, amidst the uncertainty of the high school season and the fluidity of college rosters moving forward, I fully supported my guys committing to a situation they felt strongly about.
“I think there is certainly a chance some ‘21 kids get squeezed out towards the end of the recruiting cycle.”
Surprise Paradise Honors is led by senior Jalen Scott and Wyatt Bell, who have found their college destinations. Scott is headed to Colorado State and Bell to Air Force. Both are Division I.
Coach Zach Hettel believes the
‘22 class could be impacted, as well, but not as badly as the ‘21 class.
“The transfer portal will essentially eliminate the late signing period for high school seniors or make it extremely difficult,” Hettel said. “People advising athletes should be to sign in the early period, if possible. The late signing period won’t be what it used to be until the one-anddone rule is gone.”
Anthem North Valley Christian basketball coach Randy Walker said the thinks it is good that college athletes have been given an extra year of eligibility with the pandemic being something out of their control.
He just hopes next year can be played under “normal circumstances.”
“I can’t help but think about last year’s seniors in the spring that lost most if not their entire season,” Walker said. “It is something that they can never get back.”
Walker said he believes colleges are still going to recruit seniors to play for them.
“Athletes are being recruited at younger and younger ages, so it seems that this won’t impact seniors very much,” he said.
But some are late bloomers, not really taking off until their junior or senior seasons. And so they play a waiting game to see if something opens up.
Prep academies see impact
Even seniors at the basketball-focused prep academies are having a tough time, because it’s hard to find exposure with so many canceled events due to the pandemic. Throw in the fact that Division I coaches can’t come to their schools to recruit, it makes it tough.
“We’ve currently got 14 players committed in the class of 2021 but it hasn’t been easy,” PHHoenix Prep director John Ortega said. “Schools have no idea who’s going to decide to return and also with the new transfer rule if that player decides to use that extra year, if he’ll even stay that their school.
“It’s created a mess and the class of 2021 is going to suffer. You’re going to see a ton of post-grad programs next year, as well as a swell in players going JUCO.”