Madison Meadows Junior High School has a talented middle school program currently. Led by former Iowa State University standout Gary Thompkins, the program has some talented prospects for the future. Another one of these talented young players that has emerged as one of the top 2018 prospects in the state is 5-foot-7 8th grader, Jayden Nickels-Raphiel.
A very skilled and talented guard prospect that is capable of playing both guard positions on the floor, Nickels is a gym rat that loves the game of basketball and works hard at his craft. He has a strong handle of the basketball, combined with excellent quickness. He also has a unique ability to score the basketball at a high rate, either in the half-court set or in transition where he thrives in the open floor.
Currently, Nickels is attending middle school for Madison Meadows, one of the better academic middle schools in the state, and will look to enroll at Sunnyslope High School in the future.
I caught my first glimpse of Nickels last spring while playing club basketball for a loaded Team Bibby club team. Currently Nickels plays for a younger group for the Arizona Magic 14U squad.
Keep an eye out for this young man in the future , as he has what it takes to become a very nice guard prospect for the future.
