Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Cartersville, GA (Future150) -- One of the hottest teams in the state of Pennsylvania over the past several seasons has been the Imhotep Panthers, and this coming winter, they could field their best team yet.
They return a talented nucleus, led by star senior point guard Daron Russell, who after a big AAU season with Team Final (PA), has fielded recent offers from DePaul, Rhode Island & SMU. Also returning is 6'5" senior wing Koby Thomas, who has picked up recent offers from Iona, Monmouth & VCU.
They also bring back a stable of talented juniors and sophomores, led by Chereef Knox, Bernard Lightsey, Jamil Riggins, Donta Scott & Fatayn Wesley.
Their newest addition looks to be the next star of the program in 2020 forward Elijah Taylor, who played with We R1's 15U team at the Under Armour Finals in Atlanta this past week.
"It's a new feel for me. It's my first year actually playing on a circuit, so getting to see these scouts and have this attention is off the charts. The exposure is amazing."
The 6'7", 210-pound forward first came onto our radar earlier this winter, and his steady growth bodes well as he heads into his freshman season.
Right now, he's more of a power forward who uses his high-motor, strength and rebounding to stand out. But he shows flashes of ability to transition to the wing eventually. Either way, he's not worried about being defined by position.
"Depending on how much I grow will decide if I'm a small forward or power forward, but I'm looking to be versatile so I can play both positions."
While the Panthers might not need him to play much of a role this coming season, it's clear that with continued growth, he should blossom into a starring role in the next few years.
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