The JUCO Files Part 3
JUCO hoops are the backbone of college basketball. The JUCO files highlights underclassmen ready to make the D1 jump while improving their NIL and portal value through playing time in the NJCAA.
Why JUCO?
Did you know Jimmy Butler played JUCO before Marquette? He did this at Tyler Junior College in Texas. When looking at the last draft class, Dalton Knecht (Lakers) and Jonathan Mogbo (Raptors) also came out of the JUCO reigns while now having legitimate roles in the association.
That’s the emphasis of my newsletter’s new section: the JUCO files! I will continuously write summaries of prospects who can make the jump to the Division I level. Here’s an assumption, but a tested one among people I spoke to. JUCO basketball is underrated. It’s a fundamental-based focus where toughness and sticking to principles are the base. That’s the perfect environment for young talent to mature their game and go through adversity.
That will help prospects embrace the game and be ready when they make the jump to Division I. Whether it’s the low-major or mid-major level or an immediate transfer to a power-five conference, it’s essential to scout the entirety of college basketball, where I focus on creating more awareness and acknowledgment of the value of JUCO basketball.
Prospects
1. Keziah Ekissi — Howard College (#24)
Point Guard — 6’3” — Freshman — Saintes-Maries-De-La-Mer, France
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X
It’s a matter of time before NBA scouts discover Ekissi. The French true freshman stands out with his combination of a great feel for the game while using that in his decision-making as both a scorer and a playmaker. He has a slender build but is strong in the upper body, with enough room left in his frame to add more muscle.
He’s mostly used as an advantage-creator and scorer at Howard College. When looking at his role from when he played in France, it’s feasible that the playmaking will translate to the next level—especially considering his 38 assists to 23 turnovers in 13 games as the primary ball handler at Howard College.
Ekissi is tough and aggressive and looks to attack defenders in the chest to create his advantage. He’s playing with an ‘F-you’ attitude that helps him to collect the respect of both his teammates and opponents. He has the feel for the game to read and see angles, while his footwork and lateral quickness allow him to get downhill effectively. He’s crafty and shows a good touch around the rim. As a result, he’s 50.4% from the field in 135 attempts.
His pro potential increases with his consistent three-point shooting. The numbers are at 47.2% on 72 attempts and confirm his excellent process. He’s quick to set his feet and position his body for the pull-up with a smooth and consistent form.
Defensively, Ekissi is a tough and gritty presence who impacts both passing lanes with his habit of consistently moving when defending away from the basket. He has good instincts and awareness. On top of that, he’s looking to attack ball handlers to put them out of balance. That makes him a good option in the pick-and-roll and isolation. His screen navigation is above average, as he’s mostly fighting through contact, with the area of development being to recognize space between the ball handler and screening center better so he can throw himself in between more effectively.
Video Source (Ekissi wears jersey #7)
Projection for next season: Starter for a mid-major program with a serious long-term future as an NBA prospect.
2. Avery Thomas II — Jones College (#5)
Wing — 6’7” — Freshman — Jackson, MS
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X
Thomas II is playing for a contender in Jones College and fits in seamlessly in a connecting role where he’s also handling the team’s scoring duties. For the next level, Thomas II is still somewhat raw due to not having a clear role feasible for life as a pro after college.
The first thing that popped up was how easily he moves. He floats around the court like a six-foot guard, offering excellent hip fluidity and length. While there is no official measurement available, the best estimate is that Thomas II has a seven-foot wingspan, adding value to what pro scouts look for.
The best way to evaluate his role for the next level is his versatile shooting ability, where he has good enough handles to create midrange pullups while offering reliable and consistent shooting off the catch. Despite his lanky build, Thomas II has a strong upper body with broad shoulders. I expect him to get stronger in the next few years while fully growing into his body. His rebounding numbers are a combination of effort and consistently boxing out.
His passing is a potential game-changer. He’s keen on making quick reads while being a reliable ball-mover. He’s looking to make the extra pass, chasing easy buckets rather than forcing his way to the basket. At the Division I level, I expect coaches to use him as a connective passer on both the perimeter while making plays out of closeouts or his quick decision-making via entry passes to the interior.
Thomas II’s production while he’s playing winning basketball puts him in the best position to find mid-major offers this season. But the potential is still untapped in his case, making him an exciting prospect for the long run.
Scouting via Live Game, but not able to obtain video. The clip above is from X
Projection for next season: A good rotational piece for a mid-major program with much-untapped potential to develop!
3. Tarrance Warren — Eastern Arizona College (#13)
Combo Guard — 6’2” — Freshman — Dallas, TX
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X
Warren has one of the smoothest handles of the JUCO prospects I scouted thus far. He’s a scoring-focused guard who easily finds advantages with his offensive creativity while attacking the rim. In today’s three-point-heavy shooting game, it’s vital to have advantage-creators who can create when shots aren’t falling. Warren embraces that role while having a healthy shot profile as he’s getting 1/3rd of his attempts from downtown with the rest coming from the interior.
Despite needing the ball in his hands to impact winning, Warren is the type of guard talent who adds dynamism to any offense. At 18 assists to 7 turnovers, he shows he’s making good decisions out of the drives he’s making to the basket. Warren’s last step is what makes his creativity so good. He’s pivoting far out because he has the body control to get shots up whenever he w
ants. He’s smart and uses his passing gravity to create more space for him to execute his reads. The 32-second mark is a good example.
Another value adder is that he’s focusing on exploiting open space with his floaters and runners, with the second play below being an example. He’s not strong enough yet to fully initiate contact against the average forward and center, but his ability to pivot strongly gives him more leverage to pump-fake or spin before his finish at the rim. The lack of physical strength is normal for freshmen, but the ability to control his body so well, while having the footwork to always find advantages gives Warren a promising future.
The offensive outburst is what programs and coaches are buying with Warren. The lack of defensive versatility is telling, but doesn’t form any risk for the next level as the offensive rating that’s improving with him on the floor more than makes up for a team’s defensive rating worsening. Regardless, Warren should get multiple offers from Division I coaches throughout the season.
Projection for next season: Starter for a low-major program with serious high-major potential as a scorer.
4. Christian Burnett — Gordon State College
Shooting Guard — 6’4” — Freshman — Milledgeville, GA
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X
Burnett is a born shooter. That’s the sell. He’s excellent at preparing his footwork and correcting his stance before elevating for his jumper. He has a smooth release while he has a high release point. That gave him a good reputation in high school, where he competed with the top of the top at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas.
In the last decade, the NBA shifted toward more three-point shooting. That’s a development we see at the Division I level as well. More teams focused on analytics-friendly games with a focus on finding layups and open threes. Therefore, the personnel in high-end shooters became a much more wanted commodity. Burnett can fix a team’s shooting problems. So far this season, he’s 43.4% on 53 attempts in nine games. While getting high volume, he’s able to shoot teams back into games.
The other side of the coin is that he can also shoot a team out of a game. Therefore, improving as an interior scorer and passer will give him a true role at the next level. He’s easily getting downhill but doesn’t perform well in creating angles for others while executing passing reads consistently. He’s a born scorer who’s still developing into a good basketball player that involves his teammates.
His handles are too loose to play as a full-time scorer at the next level. Regardless, his shot-making and size offer him enough positional versatility to roam in both guard roles, while he can play as a third guard in a shooting-heavy lineup. Burnett has decent footwork on the defensive end, offering him to play against taller scorers while he’s an improving team defender.
The shooting is real, and he has proven himself for years on that end. The rest needs development. Therefore, committing to a four-year program will help him to make the most out of his potential. Thus, I expect Burnett to flourish most if he commits to a low-major program and embraces the challenge to improve his fundamentals and feel for the game while playing within a clear system.
Projection for next season: Starter for a low-major program
Here’s why to Subscribe to Ersin’s NBA Draft Newsletter
I have crazy-ambitious goals!
The goal for the 2025 NBA Draft Cycle is to write 125+ in-depth scouting reports like the one you just read. That ensures you’re more than prepared for draft night.
On top of that, you’ll get consistent college basketball-related content with a focus on up-and-coming JUCO prospects as well! That is to ensure you won’t be caught by surprise when someone unknown plays impactful basketball at the D1 level.
So, to summarize: in-depth 3K+ worded scouting reports delivered to your inbox. Big Boards. Mock Drafts. Season updates from the less-coveted conferences and levels of college basketball. And much, much more.
Feel free to support my efforts by subscribing for $5 per month or $37.50 for an annual subscription. That’s a 25% discount when you pay for an entire year.