While members of the 2017 graduating class continue to fly off the board and name their future place of schooling, eyes begin to be placed onto those from the junior crop of prospects. While there has already been some talk about the lacking amount of talent compared to prior and future classes, names will pop up and only strengthen the group as a whole. One of those names is Mikey Maddox, a 5-foot-9 lead guard out of Rocky River High School.

He may not pass the immediate looks test and sports a baby face that would make him get carded for a PG-13 movie, don’t underestimate the 16 year old that calls Rochester, New York his home. Having been born in up-state New York before heading to Charlotte four years back, Maddox is just now beginning to reap the rewards of the hard work that he has put it on the hardwood.

Getting the nod off the bench for a very talented but young Rocky River High squad, Maddox created a quick spurt of intrigue thanks to his play at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge last weekend. He does not have the most mechanically sound of jumpers but he has no issues creating for himself from off the bounce as he converted on three difficult mid-range pull-ups while also scoring with creativity and toughness at the basket during my lone viewing of him. Using a great burst and a lower center of gravity, the New York native made good use of the high ball screen where he playmaked for his teammates within the half-court setting.

Deceptively explosive at the basket as Maddox can throw down windmill dunks, the recruitment process has just begun for the emerging name out of the Tar Heel State. Southern Mississippi has already offered while Winthrop and a slew of others have begun to show further attention in the productive and hard-nosed guard.

Speaking with his high school coach, Jermaine Walker, the Rocky River High boss spoke on the strengths of the emerging guard. “Mikey is one of the most elusive guards that I have coached,” he said. “He is a tenacious on-ball defender, can score on all three levels, and once he improves his shot selection, he can be one of the best players I have ever coached.”

Slated to run with the Team United gang next spring on the Nike circuit, Mikey Maddox seems here to stay as one of the break out names this winter and leading into his senior summer in the months ahead.