There is an abundance of good basketball talent in the St. Louis metro area’s Class of 2016. This year’s senior class is deep and talented.
That has been clearly evident in the past week as we’ve seen a barrage of verbal commitments to colleges from our area prep ballers. The commits just kept on coming.
Leading the way was Tyler Cook, the 6’8” power forward from Chaminade College Prep, who made a verbal commitment to the University of Iowa. Cook is ranked among the Top 75 players in the country by virtually every national recruiting outlet. He chose the Hawkeyes over Missouri, Florida, Arkansas, Virginia and Iowa State.
As a junior, Cook averaged 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 63 percent from the field in helping the Red Devils to a third-place finish in the Missouri Class 5 state tournament. Cook was also a key player on the St. Louis Eagles’ 17U team during the summer that qualified for the finals of the prestigious Nike EYBL Peach Jam in July.
Another member of that talented Eagles’ 17U team was 6’5” swingman Xavier Sneed of Hazelwood Central, who committed to Kansas State on Monday. Sneed made his announcement on live television, choosing the Wildcats over Illinois and Xavier. The high-flying Sneed averaged 18.7points, 6’4 rebounds and shot 40 percent from 3-point range in leading the Hawks to the Class 5 state quarterfinals in 2015.
A pair of CBC teammates also made the collegiate intentions known last week. Senior guard Christian Willis is headed to Arkansas State. The 6’2” Willis averaged 15.5 points and 4.3 rebounds to lead the Cadets to a 19-8 record last year. Senior power forward Duane Clark committed to UMKC last weekend. The 6’7” 235-pound Clark is a transfer from Lift for Life Academy who will be eligible to play for the Cadets this season.
Also making a commitment on Monday was senior forward Mark Rogers of Ladue, who gave a pledge to Truman State in Kirksville (MO). The 6’6” Rogers averaged 18.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in leading the Rams to a 17-10 record last season.
On the junior college front, former Madison Prep standout Arlando Cook made a commitment to the University of Nevada. The 6’9” Cook is a sophomore at Connors State (OK) College, where is ranked as one of the top junior college forwards in the country. As a freshman, Cook led Connors State to the NJCAA National Tournament and a Region 2 championship. Cook was selected the Most Valuable Player of the Region 2 Tournament.
Some of the area’s top players who have already committed include All-American Jayson Tatum of Chaminade to Duke, CBC point guard Jordan Barnes to Indiana State and standout shooting guard Mike Lewis of Chaminade to Duquesne. Senior Brendon Gooch of Belleville Althoff is headed to Southern Illinois. Former Madison Prep standout Kevin Baker committed to Jacksonville State (AL) after playing two years at Pensacola Junior College (FL).
