The Arizona Preps Fall Showcase has been consistently known over the years for producing the state's top recruiting targets, as the event helps to create a coming-out-party atmosphere for the state's top performers. No prospect in the event helped themselves more in the recent Showcase event than Gilbert High School's rapidly developing 6-foot-7 senior forward Spencer Nicolds. Nicolds absolutely exploded in this year's event - proving that he is worthy of serious division-I college recruitment in the spring.
Nicolds developed into a serious recruiting target for college programs, as a result of his progress as a player throughout the spring and summer evaluation period. Now garnering attention from numerous division-I programs, Nicolds has made a significant jump in his ability to play the game in a short period of time.
This young man came into this year's Fall Showcase as a prospect on the rise after recent strong performances in other local events. By the end of this year's exhibition, Nicolds had made his stamp on the event and also as a member of the state's top overall prospects. He would also turn in a very strong performance in the evening's final event - the Promotion Athletics 2014 Senior All-Star Game. In the game and amidst the state's top overall prospects, Nicolds was regarded as one of the top overall performers in the game.
Before this years event, I had considered Nicolds as a stretch four-man, but realized by the end of this year's event that he is actually a small forward that is capable of playing the four position. As a wing prospect, Nicolds becomes a much more attractive recruiting target for the spring. His ability to handle and shoot the basketball, combined with a serious motor make him a very productive performer.
During the 2012-2013 high school basketball season, Nicolds was a nice contributor to a very good basketball team. The Tigers went throughout last basketball season among the elite teams in the state, and as one of the favorites to win last year’s Division-I’s state championship. The team would finish with a 24-8 overall record on the season, before falling to a talented Pinnacle High School program in the Division-I State Playoffs.
Nicolds would average 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per/game last season on a very well-balanced team – one of the most well-balanced teams in the state. This season, look for Nicolds to improve those numbers a great deal as he has matured into becoming a senior prospect with big-time athleticism and loads of potential on an nice physical frame.
Currently, Nicolds is being recruited by such college programs as Utah, Northwestern, Air Force, Portland State and Sacramento State. Look for Nicolds to see a dramatic rise in his college recruitment very soon.
"It doesn't matter where I go to school, because I will outwork other players," said Nicolds.
Arizona Preps will continue to follow the recruitment of Nicolds throughout the 2013-2014 high school basketball season - bringing you updates as they begin to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: In the post, Nicolds is a long and talented prospect that can finesse or overpower smaller post players. Nicolds is still developing a go to low post move but he can score in a variety of ways. He is a very active rebounder that rebounds consistently outside of his area, and has good overall quickness to the ball for his size. He has excellent lift off the floor and is an excellent finisher at the rim. Nicolds runs the floor extremely well and is capable of beating most post players up the court. Nicolds is also able to play on the perimeter very well, since before his latest growth spurt, Nicolds primarily saw his time as a point guard – making him very skilled overall as a prospect. Nicolds is a good ball handler that likes to put the basketball on the floor in an attempt to get to the basket and finish. He is a good shooter with range on his shot and also possesses a mid-range game. Nicolds is a strong defender that accepts challenges on the court - often defending the opposing team's top offensive threat. Nicolds is an active shotblocker and has excellent timing. He quickly has developed into a mid-major plus prospect.
