Casa Grande High School 6-foot-2 senior point guard Jonathan Milligan had a strong summer performance, where he gained loads of college recruiting interest.
After being a relatively unknown prospect in the 2012 class heading into the spring recruiting period, Milligan would earn an opportunity through our Arizona Reebok Headliner Tryout Camp, as Milligan would prove to be one of the top performers in the event. As a result, Milligan would receive an invitation to participate in the Reebok Breakout Camp held in Philadelphia, PA in July.
The event was organized by Reebok and NBA star guard John Wall, as an opportunity to discover the country's top prospects that have flown below the recruiting radar. Milligan would receive acclaim as one of the camp's top individual prospects, and would receive considerable praise from Wall and also NBA star guard Jason Terry for his unique talent level.
After a strong showing in the camp, Wall would generate loads of college recruitng interest from mid-major plus and high-major division-I college programs across the country. Milligan became one of the hottest prospects in America - almost overnight. He was also featured on Rivals.com as one of the top sleeper prospects in the country.
As a result of Milligan's summer performance, he would receive loads of division-I interest. After it was determined that Milligan would still need a lot of work academically to qualify by NCAA standards, some schools moved on to other prospects while many continue to recruit him.
I caught up with experienced Casa Grande HS head coach Robb Floco this week, and he informed that, despite Milligan's academic troubles, he is still receiving strong interest from Fresno State, Creighton, Wyoming, Nebraska and Texas - each school waiting to see how Milligan's academic situation turns out.
Milligan is currently working very hard in the classroom, and is also taking some extra coursework to make up the gap academically.
This season, Milligan has not slowed down one bit on the court. While leading his team to a 9-9 record on the season, Milligan has been almost unguardable by opponents - averaging 20+ points per/game and leading his team in numerous statistical categories.
Over the holidays, while Casa Grande participated in this year's McClintock Holiday Shootout, Milligan would miss the event as a result of a close family member's health issues. I was misinformed about Milligan's status and incorrectly reported that Milligan's absence was a result of disciplinary action. This was incorrect. He was instead dealing with a family issue.
Milligan is a unique basketball talent with serious potential as a player, and is capable of exploding on the basketball court. This young man has the "It Factor," as he possesses a special quality as a player that he was born with - you can't teach it.
If Milligan can get it done academically this spring, look for him to be one of the most sought after targets by college coaches during the late signing period. If not, then he will have other options for himself - either a prep school or a junior college program.
Arizona Preps will continue to follow the recruitment of Milligan closely this spring, and bring you any updates as they continue to develop.
Arizona Preps Scouting Report: Milligan has excellent potential for the future as a college prospect - simply because of his unique quickness and athleticism as a guard. Guard prospects with such athletic talents project very well at the collegiate level, as they are able to keep up with the speed of the college game. Milligan's ability to blow past defenders and keep defenders off balance is a very nice attribute. His athleticism also allows him to make plays at the basket over bigger defenders. Milligan is a potential highlight reel each time he has the basketball in his hands, as he has very good explosion off the dribble and plays with a very good motor. He has a flashy side to his game also, which makes him fun to watch. He is a very slick ballhandler with an excellent handle of the basketball, and is capable of creating his own shot on the floor at almost anytime. Milligan has a nice shooting stroke with range on his shot, and also a quick, one-dribble pull up jumper from mid-range when being defended. His crisp handle of the basketball also allows for him to get shot opportunities at anytime in the offense. Where Milligan can struggle at times is in his decision making and shot selection. His gift of athleticism and quickness can lead to poor shot selection on the floor at times. More continued focus in this area of his game will allow him to become much more effective as a point guard and much more efficient as a player. He has a very good feel for the game and is a good passer that sees the floor well. Often times, his assists come after making a nice move off the dribble or while attempting to make the big offensive play, rather than just simple bounce passes or chest passes to the open man. He is also capable of becoming a lock-down defender at the collegiate level - a very nice attribute as a prospect. His excellent lateral quickness and quick hands suggest that he should be a much better defender. He does still gamble a lot defensively, which can take away from sound defensive play at times, but he does a good job of playing the passing lanes and forcing turnovers. More focus defensively will improve his overall worth as a college prospect. Milligan has the potential to become a big-time playmaker at the collegiate level.
