One of the top overall prospects in Arizona's 2022 Class is on the move. Former AZ Compass Prep 6-foot-4 senior guard Nate Pickens has decided to change prep programs, and will suit up for Dream City Christian this prep season. Pickens and Dream City released the story earlier this week. Pickens will look to pick up his game and, ultimately, his college recruitment, this prep season for a very talented Dream City lineup.
Pickens is one of the more uner recruited prospects in the West for the 2022 Class, after receiving numerous scholarship offers for himself early in the recruiting process.
Pickens formerly attended Paradise Honors High School for his first two years of high school in the AIA, before changing schools and going to AZ Compass Prep, for the opportunity to improve as a player and play on a national schedule. While AZ Compass would become the #1 overall ranked high school program in the country during the season, and finish among the top #3 programs in America, Pickens would not see much playing time for the team, as the program was absolutely loaded with talented prospects - creating a log-jam for Pickens and several other top-rated prospects.
Pickens previously held scholarship offers from such programs as Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, UC-Santa Barbara, Southern Utah and Robert Morris - all offers he received before his junior season.
Pickens played this summer for the Team Harden club program in numerous events, but has yet to receive any new offers for himself. Now he will look to regain the recruiting form this prep season, that once made him among the elite overall prospects in the class.
Pickens is an athletic guard prospect who can impact the game in a variety of ways. He can score from all three levels and might be one of the best pure scorers in Arizona's 2022 Class of players. He can score in a variety of ways on or off the ball, as he can shoot it at a high level, can create off the bounce and he can finish at the rim. He is crafty and plays with good pace. He makes others better with his ability to make plays off the pass. He does rely on his scoring much more at this point in his young career, but has a future as more of a facilitator. Nate is also a good defender, as he uses his speed and agility well. Pickens is a very intriguing college prospect for the future with upside. An excellent sleeper guard prospect.
Pickens will provide excellent backcourt depth for Dream City Christian this prep season, and will team up with a nice field of talented guards for the program this prep season. I look for Pickens to have a strong performance this prep season and find his right college fit over time.
I will continue to follow his college recruitment closely, and continue to bring you any recruiting updates on Pickens as it continues to develop.
