While the talk of the town this past weekend surrounded the unbelievable play of Trae Young and Andrew Jones at the Thanksgiving Hoopsfest, it shouldn’t be swept under the rug just how solid RJ Nembhard was against a talented Plano West bunch. The 6-foot-4 lead guard possesses all of the prerequisite traits to be a top-50 recruit in the 2017 class and has made the proper progressions in climbing up the national charts.

Over the past few years, the college basketball realm has been overtaken by the jumbo lead guard who can create for both himself and others, rebound the ball, and has a feel beyond their years on the playing floor. Look to the likes of Utah’s Delon Wright and Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant from last college season, along with potential player of the year candidate and Providence star Kris Dunn, and it would seem that Nembhard fits the mold of each of the three.

Just now entering his junior campaign at Keller High School, which sits just outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the lead guard displayed an elite feel and pace to his game on the floor at Duncanville High School on Saturday. He rarely every plays outside of his element, has deceptive explosiveness at the basket that he used a handful of times in scoring through contact within the taller defenders at the bucket, and showed the willingness to defend the opposing unit’s best perimeter scorer on the other end.

Where Nembhard has never been a knock down jump shooter, the 2017 star displayed a solid perimeter shot as he hit on two from deep which should cause for even further production on the stat sheet and more headaches for his opponents.

Due to his wide spread contributing abilities, mature demeanor on and off the floor, and family ties to both the New York City and San Diego areas, the junior’s recruitment has remained hot since this past summer on the travel circuit. “I’m hearing the most from Texas, California, Baylor, SMU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State,” the Lone Star State product mentioned. Outside of the six noted, Nembhard holds such others offers from Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Creighton, Kansas State, and TCU.

A commitment is still far off as Nembhard could commit during the summer months, or could hold off until next winter, yet what isn’t up for debate is the long-term value and ceiling out of the intriguing yet sturdy presence in the backcourt out of Keller High School.