Garrett Tucker:
Future150 Southeast Analyst. Covering high school basketball across the Southeast.
Atlanta, GA (Future150) -- Despite being one of the top players in the Class of 2015 for a few years now, Diamond Stone has rapidly improved over the past year. That improvement was on display over the last two weekends of the live period, as the Future150 staff watched him at the Under Armour Summer Jam and the Power 24.
At 6-foot-10, Stone has lost 25 pounds and lowered his weight to 235 pounds. That loss had made all the difference for Future150’s No. 4 overall prospect in 2015.
“I’ve become a lot quicker,” Stone said of his recent transformation. “I’m rebounding and I’m blocking shots. I’ve been doing all of that this AAU season.”
Coaches have been taking notice, as he recently added an offer from North Carolina. Kentucky has also been following closely, but not like Wisconsin and Marquette.
While at the Power 24, Wisconsin had an assistant in attendance for every game. Marquette head coach Buzz Williams was also present to see his last games on Sunday. The rising junior still has some time before he makes a decision, but the in-state schools have done their best to make him a priority.
“I want a coach that is high on me. He has to be a good coach, too. The players have to have a good chemistry, and of course, education is going to be big for me,” Stone said of the factors in his recruitment.
Team chemistry has changed dramatically in the last decade. With AAU becoming more prominent, young players throw around the idea of playing with each other at the next level. Stone has had discussions with other players.
“Me, Ivan Rabb, Charles Matthews, and Malik Newman have talked about playing with each other in college. There is nothing set, but we have all talked about it.”
Stone and his camp rarely speak on his recruitment, but the number of schools interested goes on and on. Arizona, UCLA, Georgetown, Indiana, and Connecticut are some others in addition to the aforementioned schools that have been tied with Stone.
The recruitment has taken the backseat for the time being. For now, the star has let his game do the talking.
“My post game has been the best part of my game for a long time. I’m finishing right-handed and left-handed consistently. I also think seeing my teammates on the floor and getting others involved is a strength of mine.”
Look for Stone to continue his hot summer into school ball at Dominican.
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