Jalen Jordan '17, Middle Tennessee State
When Jordan entered his name in the transfer portal, a slew of high majors and mid majors came calling. Jordan enters Middle Tennessee State as one of the most experienced and high production rate guards, a proven commodity who has a battle-tested quality which others will feed off.
The 6-foot-3, 165-pound guard established himself as a scoring threat who infuses the lineup with dazzling aerial athleticism. Jordan averaged 14.8 PPG and 3.6 boards, his scoring prowess showing out during a 28-point performance against Sacred Heart (6-for-13 FG, 13-13 FT, 3-6 3FG) and 23 points (7-for-14 3FG) against CCSU. Jordan averaged 20.4 PPG during a 3-2 stretch in conference play during the mid-season stretch.
Lightly recruited out of Conyers, Ga., Jordan was widely unknown prior to his post-graduate season. Gaining muscle and proving he can shoot it with the best teams in the country, as he showed during upsets of Montverde Academy (FL) and other national heavy hitters, helped solidify his Division-I status.
He's improved on all facets of his game since then, garnering NEC All-Rookie team and being named NEC Rookie of the Week three times as a freshman. He buried six 3-pointers, catching the hot hand early and never relinquishing it against Brown. Jordan was one of the original poster boys of Chris Chaney's program, inheriting the leadership reins alongside poised and clutch end game deliverer Chris Parker.
Clarence Nadolny, '19, Texas Tech
As they say, when the pressure doesn't rest, "Frenchy" is at his best. The Paris, France native authored one of the best post-seasons and second semesters in the country last year, cementing his status as an underrated and clutch guard. With his bullish size and freakish athleticism, Nadolny has the ability to finish hard in traffic and also complete finesse moves in the key. It was his 3-point shooting and his added range which truly enabled his game to evolve in his prep year.
Texas Tech brought their entire coaching staff to Scotland Campus, fresh from the NCAA championship game, to see Nadolny and prioritized him during the latter stages of his recruitment. His physical game and ability to pick pocket guards and finish on 7-footers was a major plus, one which helped him go from a mid major plus to one of the most hotly pursued recruits in the country.
Chris Beard and company are getting a freshman who was arguably the most clutch guard in America during a memorable post-season run with the 36-2 Knights in 2018-19. Nadolny scored 22 points against Mount Zion Academy (MD.) during the second day of the Massanutten Military Challenge in Virginia. Nadolny's three consecutive 3-pointers before halftime and other shots down the stretch helped the Knights to an 88-83 win before a barrage of Division-I coaches, including Bobby Huggins.
Prior to that performance, Nadolny scored 26 points against Fork Union Military Academy's post grad team, going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and 8-for-8 from the foul line in the game's final 10 minutes.
Against national heavy hitter Putnam Science (CT) in the 2019 prep national semifinals, Nadolny scored 20 points in a furious paced, marquee eyeball to eyeball matchup against Wichita State's Tyson Etienne. During the semifinals, with 30+ Division-I coaches on hand and his high major stock heightening (gaining offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss, Boston College, and several others), Nadolny scored 21 points against Northfield Mount Hermon (Ma.). Every big stage performance during the latter stages of the 2018-19 campaign, Nadonly turned in an efficient account of himself and his capabilities.
Lawrence Slim, '18, Flagler College
After redshirting his freshman season, expect the 6-foot-7 Slim to pose a threat as a matchup difficulty due to his versatility. With a deft outside touch and the ability to take smaller defenders ton the basket, the Amsterdam, Holland native has the skill set to be multi-positional. During his first year under Chaney, Slim played the four and became a presence on the glass.
With the addition of 7-foot-1 Ari Boya (Bradley) and 6-foot-9 Karim Coulibaly (Pittsburgh), Slim developed more of a wing's skill set. He has a tactical, high IQ game and rarely turns it over or forces the issue. His ability to hit outside shots and guard multiple positions made him an important role player on Chaney's 21-2 prep team, which earned a berth in the Prep National Elite Eight in Connecticut.
Having played at a high level during his two years at Scotland, Slim has the tool-set and experience to be an instant impact guy under Chad Warner. He culminated his career at Scotland as a high-academic kid, boasting a 3.5 GPA. His fellow countryman and roommate, 6-foot-3 off guard Jereon Kales, had a team-best 4.0 GPA.
Slim's older sister, Isabella Slim, was a four-year starter at Syracuse and is currently plying her hoops trade professionally in Europe. Chaney learned of Slim through Syracuse head women's coach Quentin Hillsman. Hillsman worked alongside Chaney while at Laurinburg Institute and later the Patterson School, both in North Carolina.
Judah Jordan, '19, Weber State
Jordan cemented his status as a defensive backbone and a heady, poised point guard during his senior year at Scotland Campus under legendary prep head coach Chris Chaney. With his maddening 3-pointers and ability to make the right reads, Jordan flashed a beyond his years game since transferring in from Capital Christian (Md.) in Maryland.
Jordan’s leadership and ability to hit clutch shots (as he proved during a vital victory over Northfield Mount Hermon during the National Prep Showcase) and play rugged chest to chest defense paralleled Scotland’s ascent into the upper echelons of the nation’s elite prep programs.
Beyond Jordan’s exploits on the court, he owns a 4.0 Grade Point Average. He’s already accumulated enough college credits to enter his freshman year with the academic status of a sophomore. Jordan’s high character traits and work ethic had special appeal for Weber State assistant coach David Marek. Marek, who recruited Jordan heavily, actually played under Chaney while at Laurinburg Prep 15 years ago. Jordan’s strength and college-ready body are pivotal factors he tuned up in his lone year at Scotland, working diligently under strength and conditioning coach Travis Scott.
Jordan was the first Knight to officially commit. He decided on Weber State back in October, choosing the program over Morehead State, Dartmouth, Yale, Towson, Penn State, South Florida, and others.
Austin Galuppo, '19, Weber State
In his post-graduate season, California native Austin Galuppo became one of the country’s deadliest 3-point shooters. The 6-foot-5 off guard had multiple games of 8+ 3-pointers, boasting the red hot shooting capabilities which broke open and won several games for the Knights. Galuppo entered Scotland Campus as a little-known commodity, despite making 423 career 3-point field goals in high school.
Flanked by much more high-profile and Division-I bound talent at Scotland, Galuppo flourished. Few could have envisioned he would have the prep year that he did, one underscored by consistency and a true killer instinct.
The sniper poured in a game-best 31 points, accounting for over 33 percent of Scotland’s offensive output, during a 90-72 win over Our Savior Lutheran (N.Y.) during the prestigious PSA Showcase.
He scored 17 points during a wild first half, as his 3-point shooting provided a significant spark. He wound up taking home MVP honors of the event. During Scotland’s thorough 78-54 thrashing of IMG Academy (FL) Post Graduate team, Galuppo scored 21 points and turned in a pair of four-point plays. In several games this season, including wins over Beckley Prep and West Nottingham, Galuppo was the source which ultimately kick-started Scotland’s fireworks.
With his deft long range shooting and ability to hit 3-pointers in succession, Galuppo’s spurt-ability and knack for of reeling off points in a hurry became contagious. He posted a handful of games of 30+ points. A feat even more notable was that Galuppo came off the bench, buying into the role of providing an an instant offensive jolt. He gained 15 pounds of muscle during his post-grad season.
Like his best friend Jordan before him, Galuppo committed to Weber State during the first semester. After being recruited thoroughly by Bryant College (RI), Weber State assistant coach Dave Marek again did the legwork to bring another Scotland prospect to Utah. Beyond his shooting and vastly improved rebounding and defense, Galuppo embodies the camaraderie and gamesmanship of a Scotland basketball player.
His rapport with Jordan, who frequently found him spotting up and creating space for his shot, is indicative of the tight-knit culture that translated to winning. Galuppo shot a scalding and country-leading 47 percent from beyond the arc in his post-graduate season.