After a busy week last week, where talented 6-foot-8 senior forward Zylan Cheatham transferred schools - leaving Westwind Prep to head back to his former high school program, South Mountain HS, Cheatham has again narrowed down his list of prospective college programs.
After trimming down his long list of schools last weekend to 8 schools, this weekend, Cheatham decided to cut the list once again - this time down to 5 college programs. On Sunday, Cheatham reported that he had narrowed his list down to Arizona State, Washington, Memphis, New Mexico and San Diego State.
Cheatham has still given every indication that he still plans to make his college decision this fall and on his birthday - November 17th. Cheatham looks to be headed to set up official visits this fall before making his college decision.
Cheatham has set up official visits to San Diego State on September 6th, and also to the University of Washington on September 27th. He is still considering taking a visit to New Mexico during one of the first two weekends of October, while he has not indicated whether he will visit Arizona State or Memphis at this point.
Recently, with his college recruitment still in the balance and the academic situation at Westwind Prep under the review of the NCAA, Cheatham decided to not wait on the ruling of the NCAA, and, instead, move back to South Mountain HS where he will finish out his senior season.
The NCAA did rule last week that the classes taken by last year’s students at Westwind Prep were not premitted by NCAA standards, so student athletes at the program, such as Cheatham, will need to retake their course work again this year. For Cheatham, it means that he will have a tough course load this year.
Cheatham is very confident that he will be fine academically after his senior season, and will be prepared to enter college next fall at the school of his choice, but it will be a trying year for the talented prospect and his family. Cheatham is currently taking a full load of classes and night school in an attempt to make up school work in preparation for college eligibility.
Cheatham’s most impressive attribute is his serious length and athleticism. He has really improved his shooting ability, but still needs to improve the consistency on his shot from deeper range on the floor. Cheatham handles the basketball like a guard and has shown a great deal of versatility as a player.
Cheatham is currently rated as the #46 prospect overall in America’s 2014 class by ESPN.
Arizona Preps will continue to follow Cheatham’s recruitment closely and bring you any more updates as they continue to develop.
