The last few months have been a whirlwind for Westwind Prep’s 6-foot-8 junior forward Zylan Cheatham. Since the end to the season for Westwind’s National High School team, Cheatham has seen his college recruitment and exposure begin to soar. Cheatham has also had to deal with the trials of AAU/club basketball, as loads of club coaches in the West have tried to lure the talented prospect to play for their teams in AAU/club competition.
"You have no idea how many people call me," said Cheatham. "It is crazy."
As a result, Cheatham elected to leave his club program, the Arizona Magic Pump N' Run-2014's, in the spring for an opportunity to play on the Nike EYBL basketball circuit with the Nike-sponsored California Supreme (CA). Cheatham enjoyed his time playing with a loaded group of prospects, primarily from southern California - a group that would qualify for the prestigious Nike Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia. On the team, Cheatham would team up with nationally ranked Arizona post prospect Payton Dastrup, a 6-foot-10 senior from Mesa Mountain View HS.
Cheatham advised me that he really enjoyed his time with the Supreme program and felt that the experience was valuable to his future as a player and as a person.
Cheatham now will join his original club program and high school coach, Jeff De Laveaga, for the remaining events in July.
"I want to finish with them," said Cheatham.
Cheatham will compete with the Arizona Magic Pump N Run-2014's this week in the Double Pump Best of Summer event in Anaheim, CA (July 17-21), and then in the Adidas Super 64 (July 24-28) in Las Vegas, NV - respresenting the state of Arizona in both events.
While playing for the Cal Supreme, Cheatham often played the four position on the court – a fact that has caused many college programs and scouts to evaluate him as a four-man, rather than his natural position as a small forward. Cheatham understands that many college coaches are currently recruiting him as a four-man, although he would like to be recruited as a small forward. During his brief stint this spring while playing for De Laveaga with the Magic, Cheatham saw much of his time as a guard, which allowed the athletic prospect to flourish. Whether he is recruited as a 3 0r a 4 prospect for the future will play a major role in his college recruitment.
Cheatham already possesses offers from such programs as Texas, Arizona State, Arkansas, Washington, Washington State, USC, Oregon, Cal, Memphis, Indiana, Gonzaga, UNLV, Miami, Nebraska, Purdue, Colorado, Oregon State, New Mexico, Utah State, Northern Arizona, Boise State, Colorado State, Utah and Southern Utah. Cheatham has also garnered serious interest from such elite-high major programs as Louisville, Arizona and Kansas.
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 is now handling 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.
Cheatham advised me that he still does not plan to make his decision on a college anytime soon, and would rather take his time in making his decision for college. His plan is to take his official recruiting visits in the fall and then make his college decision on his birthday, November 17th.
Tournament Notes: With the Arizona Magic Pump N Run-2014's, Cheatham will team up in the next two tournaments with such top-rated Arizona prospects as Westwind Prep's 6-foot-3 senior guard Tate de Laveaga (Northern Arizona commit), Mountain Pointe High School's 6-foot-6 senior forward Chris Davis, Flagstaff HS athletic 6-foot-3 senior guard Trevor Johnson, Desert Mountain HS do-it-all 6-foot senior point guard Rolando Ryhmes, Catalina Foothills HS 6-foot-4 sharp-shooting 6-foot-4 senior guard Austin Nehls, Westwind Prep 6-foot-2 prep guard Kye de Laveaga and Glendale HS athletic 6-foot-4 senior guard Lyrik Shreiner.
