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'14 AZ SF Zylan Cheatham (Verbal to San Diego St)

mattrob

Club Member
Club Member
Rivals
Scout
ESPN
247Sports


309686.jpg

Westwind Academy
(Phoenix, AZ)

AAU Team: Arizona Magic

Ht: 6-foot-8
Wt: 205 lbs

Rivals Rating: 4* SF, #68 Overall
Scout Rating: 4*; #14 PF (#62 overall)
ESPN Rating: 3*-78 grade; #29 SF
247sports Rating: 4*-92 grade; #17 PF (#69 overall)

Reported offers: Colorado, Arizona State, Boise State, Cal, Colorado State, Memphis, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, Purdue, San Diego State, Southern Utah, Utah, Utah State

 
This is my first profile, so let me know if I missed anything.

Tad's not making the same mistake Embree did, and is recruiting AZ hard, landing Hopkins this, while also pursuing Jones and Watson, and Cheatham makes the third known offer to an AZ kid for '14 (along with Adams and Benson). Like Andre Adams and Brekkott Chapman, Cheatham is a long, athletic forward whose defensive game and shot-blocking are far more advanced than his offensive game at this point. He does play a lot of point forward though, and could be a really nice, versatile 3 in college.

Cheatham's recruiting is starting to blow up a little bit, as Arizona State was his first offer late this spring, and he's since accumulated double-digit offers. Memphis is the most recent offer, where he's being recruited by UofA alum Damon Stoudemire.
 
[video=youtube;9ZMLPNAx8pA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZMLPNAx8pA[/video]
 
Recruiting is starting to pick up (Kentucky started sniffing around with a visit) and Zylan's recruiting could explode. Rare athlete who can handle from the wing while using his length to match up with power forwards on the inside.

CU is one of his latest offers.

Here's what ESPN said about him in its preseason scouting evaluation:

Updated 11/02/2012

Strengths:

Long arms, big hands, and D-I athleticism describes this young thoroughbred. He is exceptional in the open court due to his clever handle and slick passing. He has the skill and basketball acumen to get into the lane at will and finish or drop off a pass to an open teammate. His vision is impeccable and his decision making in traffic can be high-level at times.

Weaknesses:

Cheatham is a consistent jump shot away from being ranked among the nations elite. He slings his shot and as a result it's quite erratic and inconsistent. In addition, he needs to continue to improve his point guard skills in the half court set. Game management, pick and rolls/pops, and running a team will elevate his stock.

Bottom Line:

Cheatham will be a heavily recruited prospect due to his length, skill, and athleticism. His point forward skills are very intriguing.
 
Doesn't sound like CU is recruiting him as hard as some other programs.

http://colorado.scout.com/2/1277873.html

Are there any schools that are recruiting you harder at this point?
“Probably New Mexico is recruiting me the hardest at this point. I have been hearing from three coaches on a regular basis.
“I'm actually been hearing from Nebraska a lot lately. Purdue of course and Arkansas as well. They have been picking it up lately.”
 
Doesn't sound like CU is recruiting him as hard as some other programs.

http://colorado.scout.com/2/1277873.html

Are there any schools that are recruiting you harder at this point?
“Probably New Mexico is recruiting me the hardest at this point. I have been hearing from three coaches on a regular basis.
“I'm actually been hearing from Nebraska a lot lately. Purdue of course and Arkansas as well. They have been picking it up lately.”

Will did an update on him yesterday and said he has a very favorable impression of CU.
 
Will did an update on him yesterday and said he has a very favorable impression of CU.

Good to hear. It's hard to know, though, unless you know the off the record part of the interviews. Long way to go. The one thing I'm confident in is that if Tad targets a guy and gets him to visit, we'll probably get the signature.
 
'14 AZ SF Zylan Cheatham

Just a heads up Nik, he's now a 4* on Rivals and the #68 player in the country.
 
Will did an update on him yesterday and said he has a very favorable impression of CU.

Yeah, Will actually just posted his article this evening and it's much more favorable than this piece. It's still pretty early though.
 
Not certain there's a connection, but I played against John Cheatham who played for East High in Phoenix circa 1980. Went to Oregon.

I'm pretty sure another one came out of South Mtn and went to Nebraska (football) and perhaps another one went there to play basketball earlier. I am going to guess these are Uncles. Cheatham is a big time Hoops name in Arizona.

East High was ridiculous back then under legendary High School coach Royce Youree. I went to all his camps. He got the most possible out this short, white boy lacking in hops and overall athleticism.
 
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If there was any question about where Cheatham was on the staff's board:

[TWEET]325658812948299776[/TWEET]
 
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Will posted on Rivals that Tad was front row, center.

Cheatham would be a monumental "get" for the Buffs. Trying not to get my hopes up too much.
 
Will posted on Rivals that Tad was front row, center.

Cheatham would be a monumental "get" for the Buffs. Trying not to get my hopes up too much.

A week or so ago, I projected a class or Collier, Adams and Pickens. But I'm feeling greedy now. Perkins, Cheatham and Pickens. Make it happen Tad!
 
A week or so ago, I projected a class or Collier, Adams and Pickens. But I'm feeling greedy now. Perkins, Cheatham and Pickens. Make it happen Tad!
I think you and I had projected the same class, but yeah my dream class also has Perkins and Cheatham in it. Cheatham is my number one, most loved prospect this cycle that we're after.
 
I think you and I had projected the same class, but yeah my dream class also has Perkins and Cheatham in it. Cheatham is my number one, most loved prospect this cycle that we're after.

Yeah, we're definitely on the same page for the upcoming class. Cheatham is right there at the top of my list, along with Perkins (depending on the day, that may swing to Collier or Benson at PG), Diallo, and Pickens. To avoid hijacking Cheatham's thread, I expanded on my dream class a little more in the other thread.
 
amazing where we are now. just amazing. Go get him Tad. Might be a crucial get for us especially with XJ a danger to go pro early.
 
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