The JUCO Files Part 7
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. Jamir Todd — Colorado Northwestern Community College (#13)
Wing/Forward — 6’6” — Redshirt Sophomore — Denver, CO
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X
Todd is a great athlete with consistent motor who adds offensive value through his play-finishing and slashing. He’s best to play as a forward, but his decent handles make it possible to play as a wing. He’s looking to outwork opponents while he’s not afraid to play physically. It’s in his best interest to fill his frame in the next few years, as Division I forwards could give him trouble physically. Regardless, he has the tools to be a plus defender in college.
He has long arms. No official measurement is available, but his wingspan doesn’t look shorter than 6-foot-11. Todd thrives on playing at a faster pace, making him productive at the NJCAA level. In the NCAA we see a more half-court-minded style of play. The offensive value improves with him on the floor as he’s screening away from the ball to create angles for others. The challenge is his ball-moving, as he’s not sharing the ball as much as he should. That’s a combination of him wanting to prove his worth and increasing minutes and his buckets coming through defensive playmaking in the open floor. Todd uses his length very well to impact passing lanes. He’s rotating well and recognizes angles. Rotations on defense are to improve in time, as he’s gradually improving on that end.
He hasn’t made a single three yet in 12 games. Thus, the risk of fewer shooters on the floor with him and a traditional center could cause questions in terms of fit. Regardless, his two steals per game on top of the play-finishing skillset and allowing to increase a team’s pace are the sell. He’s getting to the line in bunches, converting 21 of his 28 attempts at the charity stripe. His activity as a team defender will come to him improving his rotations via more reps. Regardless, Todd can help a low-major program as of today, as I expect him to get more offers throughout the season.
Projection for next season: Starter for a low-major program.
2. Isaiah Dorceus — Daytona State College (#5)
Point Guard — 6’0” — Sophomore — Orlando, FL
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X
Dorceus is an aggressive scorer at heart. His game relies on jump shots, but what makes it work for him on fewer ball touches is his ability to pull up immediately. That makes it easier for him to get his shots up as he’s actively cutting and finding the right angles to attack the rim. He does a decent job to get downhill, and when he gets two feet inside the paint, he’s attacking defenders to get them off balance. He has a good touch around the rim. On top of that, he’s a constant offensive threat, as defenders keep angles open for him because they fear his sudden pull-up jumper.
The footwork is decent. He’s best as a point guard but doesn’t execute most of the passing opportunities he has. He’s averaging close to three assists, which could have been more if he hadn’t focused on getting his shots. He’s also looking to play fast and create transition opportunities. Despite being a 6-footer, he’s rebounding actively, averaging just over three per game. That helps him to find the right opportunities to be quick in transition and get good looks near the glass.
Defensively, it’s challenging, as he doesn’t have the size to be a shot-blocker and struggles to contest shots against bigger opponents consistently. He’s a decent athlete with a good jump helping him to defend against guards. Dorceus is not a good screen navigator, which could cause issues for a team’s defensive rating. Regardless, he’s an instant source for offense, who plays the game without many ball touches. That can help him to scale his role down and be a good rotational piece off the bench at the Division I level. I expect low-major programs to offer him throughout the season.
Projection for next season: Rotational piece for a low-major program.
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