Diamonds in the rough

For years, Arkansas high school athletes have been slept on, college scouts around the country viewed the Natural State as a small state with little to no talent and was highly under recruited. The state of Arkansas will typically have three or four players rated on recruiting sites, the scouts are starting to wake up. Between the years 2012 and 2019, the state of Arkansas had seven 247sports.com 4 stars boys basketball players.

• 2017- Daniel Gafford
• 2016- Malik Monk
• 2016- Eric Curry
• 2015- Kevaughn Allen
• 2014- Anton Beard
• 2013- Bobby Portis
• 2012- Archie Goodwin

In the 2020 class alone, there are five 4 stars or better: Moses Moody, KK Robinson, Jaylin Williams, Davonte Davis and Chris Moore. The argument could be made that maybe it’s only an up year, maybe that’s the case. However, if you look ahead to future classes, the 2021 recruiting class has two 4 stars, Jalen Ricks and Terran Williams. There are other 2021 prospects that are appealing for college scouts that are popping up on some radars.

The class of 2022 is loaded, the talent pool is deep and is from all areas of the state. Nick Smith Jr. from Sylvan Hills is the highest rated, followed closely by Darrian Ford from Magnolia, Joseph Pinion, Javon Guy-King, Kel’el Ware, Quion Williams, Creed Williamson, and Jabari West are all receiving interest as a 4 star caliber prospect.

The kids in the class of 2023 is too young to drive a car, but thats not stopping high major programs from offering full ride scholarships. Kids like Bryson Warren at North Little Rock is only 14 years old but was offered by the University of Arkansas, Texas A&M, and many others this season. While Bryson is the only one with high major offers there are many kids with high majors flirting.

Arkansas Women’s high school basketball should not be slept on either, it is deeper than ever and full of some of the nations best players.

• Elauna Eaton (5 star)
• Sasha Goforth (Mcdonalds All-American & 5 star)
• Destiny Salary (highly rated 4 star)
• Jersey Wolfenbarger (class of 2021 & top 40)
• Maryum Dauda (class of 2021 4 star)
• Wynter Rogers (4 star)
• Coriah Beck
• Amauri Williams (class of 2022 4 star)

The state of Arkansas is headed in the right direction and is starting to turn plenty of heads nationally. It is definitely something to keep an eye on!