Kentucky commit Shaedon Sharpe made a huge jump in the national rankings in less than a year. (FIBA Photo)
Long before he had any idea that Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates would reclassify to the 2021 recruiting class, Dream City Christian coach Kyle Weaver told Shaedon Sharpe he could be the No. 1 player in the 2022 recruiting class. Remember Sharpe was barely in the top 200 players in his class when he transferred to Dream City Christian, in Arizona, after his sophomore season. Now the 6-5 guard is not only a Kentucky commit but also the No. 1 player in the 2022 class in several recruiting rankings.
“To be honest, I have never seen anything like this where a kid goes from being maybe top 160 to 200 to making a move where he is No. 1 but I always knew this kid would be special,” Weaver said.
“Me and Shaedon had a talk last November and I told him he would be the No. 1 player in the 2022 class. I have seen three lottery picks and other NBA guys develop. I told him I was sure he could be the No. 1 guy in his class. He thought I was crazy and like something was wrong with me.”
Instead, Weaver was right. The coach takes no credit for the development even though another one of his former players, current Phoenix Suns star DeAndre Ayton was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He says Sharpe’s talent just needed those close to him pushing the right direction to build his confidence.
“After that he has just taken care of business,” Weaver said. “I told him in November he was better than other NBA guys I have coached. I told him he was more efficient, had an NBA-style game. He just needed confidence that he could be that guy.”
