I caught up with South Mountain High School's gifted 6-foot-8 senior forward prospect Zylan Cheatham last night while participating in the Super 80 Showcase event, and we spent some time together discussing his college recruitment and plans for the future.
Cheatham advised me that he is currently down to three schools in his college recruitment, as the talented wing prospect will now decide between Washington, San Diego State and New Mexico.
Cheatham has already taken official visits to both Washington and San Diego State, and will plan to take his final official visit to New Mexico later this month on October 18th.
Cheatham advised me that currently San Diego State and Washington are his two favorites, and he plans to make his decision between the two schools, although he is still considering New Mexico as well. His official visit to New Mexico could make a big difference in his college recruitment.
"I really like both programs," said Cheatham about Washington and San Diego State. "Both schools play my style of play and I think I will be successful at both schools."
Cheatham advised me that while some people have encouraged him to wait until the spring, he would rather make his decision this fall.
"There is no reason for me to wait," said Cheatham. "I'm not looking for the biggest program or the name of the school. I am looking for fit and where I will be able to have a chance to play."
Cheatham also advised me that he is currently working very hard in the classroom to make up his academic performance, lost from attending Westwind Prep Academy last school year. Recently the NCAA ruled that the classes taken by last year’s students at Westwind Prep were not permitted by NCAA standards, so student athletes at the program, such as Cheatham, have needed to retake their course work again this year. For Cheatham, it means that he will have a tough course load this year.
"It has not picked up yet, but in the next two weeks I will be going to school from 8Am to 5PM everyday," said Cheatham. "I think I will be okay."
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 is also still hopeful that he will be cleared by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) soon, in an attempt to play high school basketball in the state this high school season. Cheatham told me that he has a meeting with the AIA this week to hear the results of his request to be cleared for athletic eligibility.
Cheatham also told me that while he had planned to wait until his birthday, November 17th, to make his college decision, he now believes that he will make the decision much sooner.
"I don't think I will wait until my birthday anymore to make my decision," said Cheatham. "If it feels right before that then I am going to pull the trigger."
So a decision could be coming soon for the talented wing prospect. 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.
