Allow Me To Introduce Myself: Koraan Clemonts

Name: Koraan Clemonts
Class: Senior “2016”
Height/Weight: 6’1” 165
High School: Weldon High School (Weldon, NC)
Position: Point Guard
AAU Team: Richmond Squires
Projected Level of Play: Low Major D1 / D2
GPA: 3.2
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coGRLCYqOwU

Koraan Clemonts from Weldon High School is easily one of the most underrated point guards in North Carolina. According to MaxPreps, for the 2nd straight season, he’s leading the state of NC in assists per game and is one of the leaders in steals per game as well. He most recently had a monster game on the road against conference foe Southeast Halifax High School, finishing with a quadruple double! (see video below)

Playing for a small 1A Weldon High School is part of the reason he has managed to stay a virtual unknown, despite averages of 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 10.1 assists and 3.3 steals per game. Coaches should take a closer look at Koraan Clemonts. A year young for his class with loads of potential, he could end up being a huge steal of a prospect at the next level.

Strengths:

Passing – Koraan is very unselfish and always has his head up with the ball. He’s able to make pinpoint passes through tight spaces, convert solid post feeds, throws excellent lob passes and is an exceptional outlet passer as well. Even when pressured by multiple defenders, he’s able to slip passes through to open players in the paint and around the perimeter with great consistency. Currently leading the state of NC in assists again with 10.1 assists per night.

Quickness/Athleticism – He is extremely quick and strong with the ball. Only needs a split second to penetrate a defense off the dribble. Has a very minimalistic approach to getting into the paint, utilizing pass fakes, head-fakes to throw off defenders and jump stops. Extremely efficient with his quickness, rarely utilizing more than 3 dribbles before splitting defenses and going by defenders. Has a very solid hesitation and crossover with either hand and bursts to the rim off the dribble before defenses can react to him without fouling.

Defensive Tenacity – Excellent defender. Very aggressive approach on defense and harasses ball-handlers with little to no remorse. Possesses abnormally long arms and big hands for a 6’1” guard. His length allows him to really frustrate ball handlers in man-to-man as well as in zone defenses. Doesn’t seem to get tired on either end. Consistently wears out opposing guards and turns their frustrations into long passes and steals for his team.

Areas for Improvement:

Shooting – At this current stage, he typically drives all the way to the rim for a shot or lets it fly from 3 point range. He’s a decent shooter, but he’ll need to develop a better mid-range shot and improve on his 3-point shot to really be effective early on at the next level. (LM Division 1 or High D2) He has a solid form, so repetition will help. He’s shown in multiple games to be a clutch performer at the free throw line, but he could stand to work on his free throw shooting as well.

Strength – For a player that gets in the paint so often, he’ll have to get stronger or bigger defenders will continue to bump him on drives, throwing him off balance. He has a frame that looks well equipped to put on muscle. Has seemingly gotten more athletic as the season has progressed, driving to the basket for dunks now, so that is a promising sign. Already a solid leaper. Putting in the time to develop a stronger core, upper body and lower body could make him a nightmare physically for opposing guards on both ends and will help benefit him in the long term.

A year young for his class. A year of acclimation to college speed and physicality would do him well. D2’s definitely shouldn’t let this kid slip away.