To conclude an event-filled summer, CrossRoads Elite Invitational provided an opportunity to get an early look at some of the nation's top underclassmen all under one roof. Taking place at the YMCA Farha Sports Centers in Wichita, Pro Insight was on hand to cover the three-day event. In between games, we caught up with Scotty Middleton of Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) and New York Renaissance (NY).
Originally from South Carolina and one of multiple high level athletes in his family, Middleton aims to be the first to play beyond the collegiate level. With a blend of size, length, athleticism, and versatility, Middleton is certainly trending in the right direction and is a welcomed addition to Sunrise Christian Academy, this season.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Middleton discussed his background, what he showed coaches this summer, his recruitment update, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2023 prospect Scotty Middleton, from Miami, Florida:
Pro Insight: Can you talk a bit about your background?
Scotty Middleton: I was originally born in South Carolina and I moved to Miami in sixth grade. I started taking basketball seriously in seventh grade and then I moved to New Jersey my sophomore year. And then I came to Sunrise Christian Academy. Most of my family is from South Carolina, I have an Aunt who lives in New Jersey, but other than that most of my family is in South Carolina.
PI: Any other athletes in the family?
SM: My cousin played basketball, but he doesn’t play anymore. Only me now.
PI: Describe your game — what are your strengths?
SM: I think my strengths are leading a team. When I go to college I want to be a PG, so I’ve got to talk on defense, get my team better, get my team involved, be an overall team player, and have a good attitude all of the time.
PI: What are some improvement areas?
SM: Everything...shooting, defense, rebounding, athleticism, getting stronger, etc. So really everything.
PI: What are some underrated aspects of your game?
SM: I think passing. People forget I’m a great passer. People just see me scoring and playing defense, but actually I’m a really good passer.
PI: Who are some players you like to model your game after?
SM: Um, when I really started to watch basketball I used to watch a lot of KD, Brandon Ingram, Terrence Clarke, etc. This year I started watching a lot of Ayo Dosunmu from Illinois.
PI: Describe your summer with the New York Renaissance — what do you feel like you showed coaches and scouts?
SM: I feel like I showed coaches that I could lead a team. Playing with the Rens, I came off the bench sometimes because it helped my team and I had to get guys involved early. I’m a really good leader on the court and I know how to get my teammates involved — I know all of their strengths and weaknesses and I put them in the best situation to perform at the highest level.
PI: What’s the update with your recruitment?
SM: I talk to a lot of schools. Arizona State, DePaul, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Penn State have reached out a lot. That’s really it right now.
PI: What are you looking for in your program of choice?
SM: Honesty, really...who can be the most honest. What school fits my game the most — I don’t want to go to a school where I can’t fit into their offense and defense. I want to go to a school that helps me out on and off the court.
PI: How do you see your role at the next level?
SM: I want to transition into a PG. Right now I’m a wing. I can play PG, but I want to transition to more of that.
PI: What are your off-court interests?
SM: Right now I just play 2K with my teammates, I watch Netflix, and we just go to the gym and play one-on-one or shoot around.
PI: How would you rate yourself in 2K?
SM: Like a 5/10 right now [laughs].
PI: If you had three words to describe yourself, what would those three words be?
SM: Happy. Energetic. Funny.
PI: Why those three words?
SM: I have fun playing basketball because it’s what I love to do and it’s not like when I come to the gym it’s like, “oh I don’t want to be here.” I have fun in workouts and practice, I love it. I love playing basketball and I love being here.
PI: If you were stuck forever on a deserted island and had all the food, water, and shelter you needed — what three personal items would you bring?
SM: I’m going to need my phone to listen to music. Does a girl count? [interviewer nods affirmatively], I’ll bring a girl, then [laughs]. I’ll bring two girls actually. A phone and two girls, that’s it.
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