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Updated: Aug 24, 2019
Arkansas hoops is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. Moses Moody, Jaylin Williams, KK Robinson, Chris Moore, and Davonte Davis are currently in the 2020 Rivals150 prospect rankings. Arkansas has always been a place where you can find hidden talent. The excitement in the Natural State is at an all time high, but there's still a lot of talented players flying under the radar.
'20 Brayden Lyons | 6’4 | Shooting Guard
Glen Rose High School
21PPG - 8RPG - 3APG
Brayden is one of the most talented players in the 2020 class. He can score at all three levels, and he uses his long strides to get to wherever he wants on the court. Because he gets great lift on his jump shot, he is tough to guard. He is extremely athletic and can finish at the rim. He also does a great job of making his teammates better.
He missed a lot of spring and summer basketball due to an ankle injury. A few things Brayden needs to strengthen: tightening up his handle, and becoming a consistent 3-point shooter. Look for him to dominate at Glen Rose and fill up the stat sheet. Brayden Lyons' potential is through the roof!
Projection - Division 1, Low to Mid Major prospect
'20 Lawson Jenkins | 6’7 | Shooting Guard
Har-ber High School
17PPG - 7RPG
Lawson doesn't pass the eye test, but this kid absolutely understands how to play basketball. He is a big time shooter with a quick release. He is better shooting off the catch but can make 1 or 2 dribble pull-ups as well. He has a high basketball IQ and does a good job of moving without the basketball. Lawson is a great passer, sneaky athletic, and loves to compete on both ends of the floor. Lawson needs to gain weight, add strength, and improve his lateral quickness. If he does these things, look for his recruitment to take off. If he signs in the Fall, somebody may get a steal. However, if he waits until the Spring and improves his body, he could have several D-1 programs knocking down his door.
Projection - Division 1, Low Major prospect
'20 Shannon Strickland | 6’5 | Combo Guard
Monticello High School
17PPG - 7RPG - 6APG
Shannon is smooth, skilled, and has great size for the position. He can slide over and play the point guard spot as well. He can score at all three levels and has great shooting stroke. Sometimes, he is too casual but his size, length, athleticism, shooting ability, and feel for the game makes him an intriguing prospect for college programs. A focus of improvement would be his motor and going hard on every possession.
Projection - Division 1, Low to Mid Major prospect
'20 Ben Turner | 6’5 | Wing
Trumann High School
20PPG -10RPG
Ben is extremely long, athletic, plays with a motor, and does a great job rebounding. He is a straight line driver that gets downhill using his upper body strength. Ben will need to continue improving his skills on the perimeter and becoming a better 3-point shooter. Ben has good size, a nice frame, and a lot of potential.
Projection - Division 1, Low Major prospect
'20 Zane Butler | 6’0 | Point Guard
Greene Country Tech
22PPG - 4APG - 4RPG - 37% 3FG
He is a big-time shooter who gets great lift on his shot. He can shoot it off the catch or the bounce. He is a tough kid, competes on the defensive end, and understands the game. Zane is not the quickest but gets to his spots. He is not the most athletic either, but he will always be a threat on the court because he can shoot it consistently from 23 feet. Coaches looking for a gym rat who will bring it everyday--Zane is your guy.
Projection - Division 2 / Division 1, Low Major prospect
'20 Jordan Tillmon | 6’1 | Point Guard
Watson Chapel High School
18PPG - 4RPG - 3APG
This lefty is extremely confident in his game and is at his best when creating off the bounce. He uses his crafty ball handling skills to get to the rim, or to get separation on his shot. He has a high basketball IQ, and plays with pace and change of speeds. He is a gym rat; a true competitor and has that 'dog' in him that you just can’t teach. He is a decent outside shooter but needs to focus on being a more consistent 3-point shooter. If he improves his shooting, I could see mid-major programs recruiting him.
Projection - Division 1, Low Major prospect
'20 Laityn Sheppard | 6’6 | Forward
North Little Rock High School
10PPG - 8RPG
Laityn is a big kid who uses his thick frame to take up space in the paint. He has a nice skill set as he can score inside and outside. He can face up and shoot consistently from 15 feet and he can drive the ball to the rim, as well. Laityn lacks natural athleticism, but he can score in the post because he has good fundamentals. He has a soft touch around the rim and does a great job rebounding. The one thing that may hold Laityn back is his weight. If he loses 20 pounds, he is definitely a Division 1 player.
Projection - Division 2 / Division 1, Low Major prospect
'20 Treylon Payne | 6’2 | Point Guard
Bryant High School
13PPG - 4RPG - 2APG
Treylon is one of the best on-ball defenders in Arkansas. He defense creates a lot of havoc; when he is defending his opponent, he sticks to them like glue. He has good size for his position, good athleticism, and quick feet. He uses his speed to get to the rim. His main focus this season should be improving his 3-point shot. Treylon shot the ball better toward the end of summer and showed signs of improvement. College programs looking for a solid point guard who will run your team, get others involved, and help you WIN--Treylon is it!
Projection - Division 1 Low Major prospect
'20 Makyi Boyce | 5’10 | Point Guard
Marion High School
10PPG - 8APG
Makyi is true PG who loves getting his teammates involved. This pass first PG has a great IQ and can see plays before they happen. He can make pinpoint passes with his right or left hand. He is strong, fast and is very tough. This kid is a gifted passer who doesn’t turn the ball over and is a proven winner. He was a big reason Marion won a state championship. Once he proves that he can make open shots consistently, his recruiting will pick up.
Projection - Division 2 / Division, 1 Low Major prospect
'20 Lamar Wilkerson | 6’3 | Guard
Ashdown High School
19ppg - 6rpg
Lamar is a winner who does all of the little things to help your team win games. He is athletic, strong, and has a big-time motor. He has the ability to be a lock down defender at the next level. Offensively he is always in attack mode. He is at his best when he is slashing to the rim or shooting catch and shoot 3’s. For his position, he does an outstanding job of rebounding the ball. Lamar led Ashdown to a state championship title last year. Don’t be surprised if his team wins it again this year.
Projection - Division 2 / Division 1, Low Major prospect
