As we prepare to complete our rankings for post players among the 2013 class, one player that has made the most significant jump in the spring player rankings is Independence High School's 6-foot-7, 195-pound rising senior forward Jonathan Wilson.
While being a rather unknown prospect among the state's top players just a year ago, Wilson has made a significant splash this spring - enough to make a significant jump into our player rankings for post players in the 2013 class.
Wilson is currently receiving serious interest from Weber State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah and Idaho State.
Wilson is still a work in progress but has developed a great deal over the past year, and is a very intriguing prospect that most college coaches still do not know much about, but should garner very good attention this summer. Wilson is coming off a very good performance for himself this spring, where he showcased his superior athleticism in club competition. Wilson produced many athletic plays, including two of the best dunks over defenders this spring in local club events.
Wilson's best physical attribute as a college prospect is his athleticism and excellent length, allowing him to finish plays around the basket and play much bigger than his size suggests. He is still raw offensively, and still developing his ability to score consistently away from the basket. While it will take his some time still develop his overall fundamental approach to the game, you cannot teach his length, athleticism and willingness to compete. Wilson has a good motor and still plays all over the floor. As he continues to develop offensively and learn the game, he will develop into a serious college player.
His best asset as a player is his ability to defend and block shots, which he does very well. He is capable of guarding several positions on the floor and has very good timing as a shotblocker. Wilson either changes or alters many shots in his area in the paint, and attempts to block most shots inside or outside of his area. Wilson is also an active rebounder and rebounds outside of his area, another nice attribute for him as player.
Wilson runs the floor very well and is an excellent finisher in the open floor - an area of his game where he thrives.
Currently, Wilson is a face-up four man, but could develop over time, and with hard work, into a 3 at some point. He is capable of playing as a small forward now, but needs much more work on hsi ability to shoot the basketball from the perimeter. While he is capable of making shots, it is definitely not his strong suit, as he is at his best scoring inside the paint. He will need to continue to develop his perimeter skills as a shooter and as aball handler to maximize his college recruitment. Either way, he is a division-I prospect currently, but as a low to mid-major prospect. Improved perimeter skills will raise his recruiting stock a great deal his senior season.
Wilson has also had to overcome a lot of adversity in his life, as he lives with a single mother and has very little financial support. Wilson has worked hard to succeed each day of his high school career. For many kids in Arizona, days come and go by with ease, but for Wilson each day is a challenge just to get to school and make it through the day. This young man's desire to compete in the classroom, on the basketball court and in life has proven just how bad he wants to be successful. He is on the right path and is someone that everyone can root for, as he looks to make it from the streets of West Phoenix to a college in the future.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Wilson is an intriguing prospect. His best physical attribute as a college prospect is his athleticism and excellent length, allowing him to finish plays around the basket and play much bigger than his size suggests. He is still raw offensively, and still developing his ability to score consistently away from the basket. While it will take him some time still develop his overall fundamental approach to the game, you cannot teach his length, athleticism and willingness to compete. Wilson has a good motor and still plays all over the floor. As he continues to develop offensively and learn the game, he will develop into a serious college player. His best asset as a player is his ability to defend and block shots, which he does very well. He is capable of guarding several positions on the floor and has very good timing as a shotblocker. Wilson either changes or alters many shots in his area in the paint, and attempts to block most shots inside or outside of his area. Wilson is also an active rebounder and rebounds outside of his area, another nice attribute for him as player. Wilson runs the floor very well and is an excellent finisher in the open floor - an area of his game where he thrives. Currently, Wilson is a face-up four man, but could develop over time, and with hard work, into a 3 at some point. He is capable of playing as a small forward now, but needs much more work on hsi ability to shoot the basketball from the perimeter. While he is capable of making shots, it is definitely not his strong suit, as he is at his best scoring inside the paint. He will need to continue to develop his perimeter skills as a shooter and as aball handler to maximize his college recruitment. Either way, he is a division-I prospect currently, but as a low to mid-major prospect. Improved perimeter skills will raise his recruiting stock a great deal his senior season.
