Westwind Prep Academy ultra-talented and athletic 6-foot-8 junior forward prospect Zylan Cheatham has quickly developed into a big-time prospect for the future, and many college programs are now beginning to take notice. After a big performance this past summer and a recent dominant performance in this year's recent Arizona Preps Fall Showcase, college programs are looking to catch a glimpse of the rising junior prospect.This week, Cheatham received his biggest visitor yet, as the University of Kentucky stopped in to catch a Westwind Prep practice - an amazing honor for Cheatham and any other Arizona prospect.
"They told me that they are very interested and are looking forward to watching me develop," said Cheatham.
Cheatham has also received serious interest as of late from the University of Arizona, Indiana, Gonzaga, UNLV, Memphis and Miami, while currently holding offers already from Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon State, New Mexico, Utah State, Northern Arizona, Boise State, Colorado State, Utah and Southern Utah.
Cheatham is also fresh off an unofficial recruiting visit to the University of New Mexico this weekend, where he was able to catch a game this past weekend.
"It was amazing," said Cheatham. "I really like their staff and their facilities were great."
The sky seems to be the limit for Cheatham, as he has quickly risen, in the minds of many basketball scouts, to the top of Arizona's very loaded 2014 class. Cheatham's most impressive attribute is his serious length, athleticism and high skill level. He has really improved his shooting ability a great deal, but still needs to improve the consistency on his shot from deeper range on the floor. Cheatham is now handling the basketball like a guard and has shown a great deal of versatility as a player.
Cheatham advised me that he still does not plan to make his decision on a college anytime soon, and would rather take his time in making his decision for college.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: I have regarded Cheatham as a future big-time prospect, but he has put it all together much quicker than expected showcasing his superb athleticism, defensive ability and willingness to make sacrifices for his team to win. Cheatham is a high-energy, ultra-talented prospect with amazing upside as a player, and terrific work ethic. He will only continue to improve as a player a great deal over time, but his value as a lengthy wing prospect is a nice attribute that will have college coaches beating down his door over time. A very good mid-range shooter and player, but needs continued work on his jump shot with range to reach his full offensive potential as a player. Excellent slasher and open court player. Very few wing prospects can control the game defensively as Cheatham can, and as he continues to improve as a player offensively, watch out. Excellent shotblocker with good timing. Another elite-high major division-I prospect in an already absolutely loaded 2014 class for Arizona.
