Houston’s Applewhite transfers to prep school
Houston guard Alden Applewhite, who was named the District 15-AAA regular-season and tournament MVP this past season, has transferred to AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, for his senior season.
"I just wanted to get some more exposure and just play good competition every day in practice and in games," Applewhite said.
The 17-year-old senior said AZ Compass reached out to him months ago and that he was thinking of transferring for a while. He visited the school recently but is now back in Memphis. He said he's not sure when he'll move to Arizona.
"It'll be my first time away from home for an extended time," Applewhite said. "It will help me get ready for college. That was another part of my decision because I knew I would have to leave the year afterwards."
Applewhite is the third Memphis prep player ranked in the 247Sports Composite Class of 2021 to leave since the end of the season. Lausanne center Moussa Cisse reclassified to the Class of 2020 and plans to attend college next year. Briarcrest point guard Kennedy Chandler transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas.
Houston forward Mason Miller is the state's top prospect for the Class of 2021. He is the son of Mike Miller, who recently stepped down from his assistant coach role at Memphis.
Applewhite is the No. 5 prospect in the state, according to the 247Sports Composite, and has offers from Washington State, Iowa State, St. John's and Mississippi State among others.
He averaged 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in his only season at Houston after transferring from Lausanne. He led the Mustangs to their first boys basketball state tournament berth since the school opened in 1989, but the tournament was canceled because of COVID-19.
"It was pretty tough leaving Houston," Applewhite said. "We had a really great year, and I wanted to end it on a good note. It was really tough leaving a good team like that and great coaches and such a great school."