Coming out of high school following the 2011 season, lightning quick point guard Jahii Carson was a hot commodity when it comes to elite incoming talent in the collegiate ranks.
After setting a Mesa, Arizona HS scoring record, averaging an incredible 32.2 ppg, he was named a 2nd Team All American before staying in state, playing for Herb Sendek at Arizona State University.
Unfortunately due to grades, Carson was ruled academically ineligible for the ’11-’12 NCAA season, before earning PAC-12 co-freshman of the year honors with UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammed as a redshirt frosh the following season.
But as a 21 year old sophomore this past season, the pint sized dynamo had a breakout season, averaging 18.5 points and 5 assists, while arguably becoming one of the top point guards in the nation.
For the 2nd consecutive season, he was named to the All PAC-12 1st Team, helping the Sun Devils to a 21-12 record and into the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament.
After declaring early for the 2014 NBA Draft, Carson was considered a fringe 1st Round or early 2nd Round selection.
But after the 5’11 floor general registered a 43.5 inch max vertical at this past week’s Draft Combine, tying for the top mark with 6’4 Oklahoma State guard Markel Brown, Carson’s stock is definitely on the rise and may now be a steal for a contending team late in the 1st Round.
Remember teams also balked a few years ago on another pint sized point guard named Isaiah Thomas, drafted with the last pick in 2011, and is now averaging 20 ppg for the Sacramento Kings.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
