I made the trip to Taylorsville (N.C.) Alexander Central to see them play Morganton Freedom High, and I am so glad I did. We'll see if he lives up to this or if the prep hoops machine spits him out, but Freedom freshman point guard Amore Connelly has a chance to be special. He had 27 points on 9 of 12 shooting, 4 of 5 on three-pointers and 5 of 6 at the free-throw line. He added five rebounds, six assists, two steals and one impressive block. He had to be careful because there was definitely a vibe where the refs seemed intimidated by the big Alexander Central crowd and dinged him on some bad calls. So, he'll be ready for playing at Duke. He had just played Alexander Central a week ago and had 30 points and seven assists.
The next step is how he does against better prep teams in the NCHSAA playoffs, and when he plays on the travel team circuit. He had been with Team Charlotte in the past, but this will be an all-out war to get him I predict.
I accept that it sounds crazy that a freshman, who really no one has seen play live other than Rick Lewis and I going up there together tonight, who has no offers or recruiting buzz, can be this good, but his scouting video next week will shock the system. But then so will Aiden Smalls and Latrell Allmond in the class of 2026.
The next step is how he does against better prep teams in the NCHSAA playoffs, and when he plays on the travel team circuit. He had been with Team Charlotte in the past, but this will be an all-out war to get him I predict.
I accept that it sounds crazy that a freshman, who really no one has seen play live other than Rick Lewis and I going up there together tonight, who has no offers or recruiting buzz, can be this good, but his scouting video next week will shock the system. But then so will Aiden Smalls and Latrell Allmond in the class of 2026.
Last edited:
