By Frank Burlison, Nothing But Net Magazine Senior Writer
In almost any other year, Reggie Perry from Thomasville (GA) would be considered the top power forward on the prep level, not only in the South, but nationally as well.
Ranked No. 15 in the Class of 2018 by Nothing But Net Magazine, there is a significant obstacle in the way of the 6-foot-9 player and every other individual at that position.
And that, of course, is that 6-7, 250-pound package of YouTube-propelled dunks and blocked shots that is Zion Williamson from Spartanburg Day School (SC).
But the presence of Williamson – along with wing R.J. Barrett from Montverde Academy (FL), one of the top two candidates for National Player of the Year honors – isn’t a roadblock at all to the Mississippi State-bound Perry’s path to McDonald’s All-American status, before he makes his trek to Starkville next summer.
Originally from Arkansas, and actually committed to the in-state Razorbacks before his college change of mind in July, he burst onto the national scene in July while playing for the adidas-fronted Arkansas Hawks 16U squad in Las Vegas (NV).
His play there helped earn him an invitation to Southern California and a spot on the adidas Nations rosters, where Perry again showed that he was among the very best while pitted again some of the best that 2017 had to offer
After his junior season at Thomasville was a wrap, he went right to work with the Arkansas Hawks – now competing on the 17U level of the adidas circuit – and continued to show off an ever-expanding set of skills.
And the depth of those skills – both from the low post, from the perimeter and in transition – reverberated throughout at the Cerritos College gymnasium in Norwalk (CA) during the Pangos All-American Camp in June.
Via jump shots from the wings and corners, driving dunks and turnaround shots from the low post, Perry averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds while his “Miami” team went unbeaten in the “ACC” division.
And, while playing just a little more than 10 minutes in the Cream of the Crop Top 30 Game, Perry was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player with nine points (including a three-pointer), also three rebounds and four steals.
The summer continued with comparable efforts for the Hawks during the adidas Championships in Las Vegas, and then he wrapped up that portion of his career with an even better performance at the adidas Global Nations (this time in Houston in early August) as Corey Evans or Rivals.com selected him to the five-player all-event team.
Since, these days, everyone and their mothers want to play the game: “Who does he remind you of?” I’m going to offer my take on the former player Perry most reminds me of.
And it’s Robert Horry, who scored 21 points in the University of Alabama’s 1990 NCAA West Regional semifinal loss to Loyola Marymount before going to be a part of seven NBA title teams with Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.
I’m sure Perry would settle for a comparable NBA career.
(Photo credit: Scott Kurtz)
