'23 4-star Scotty Middleton talks Kansas offer and official visits

Scotty Middleton is the No. 37 ranked player in the 2023 On3 Consensus. The Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian junior has had a big season on the NIBL, showcasing his versatility and a great motor.

“I do whatever my team needs,” Middleton told On3 after a recent win. “I bring energy to my team on both ends, get my team going and shoot the three. I’ve improved this season in finding my role on the team. I watch a lot of Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown. I look at their pace on offense, how they play through ball screens.”

College coaches started to take notice of the 6-foot-7 wing this summer with the NY Rens on the 16u EYBL circuit. On3 caught up recently with Scotty Middleton to talk about his recruitment and upcoming visits.

“I am hearing the most from Ohio State, DePaul, Xavier, Texas Tech, and Kansas right now,” Middleton said. “I have taken one official visit to Kansas State.”

Middleton talks recruiting

Kansas State: “Everyone is really together there, from the students to the players to the teachers. They keep on me about loving the game and keeping working. Their pitch to me was how much they like my versatility and how they need that in their league.

Kansas: “I was able to see on my visits they play super hard and are well-coached. They have produced a lot of pros over the last few years, and they have a couple this year. Coach (Norm) Roberts called me yesterday morning and told me he likes how hard I play and how my versatility impacts the game. Then he said it was time to go ahead and offer me a scholarship.”

Ohio State: “They like my versatility and my energy. They talk to me about staying positive. I don’t really know much about them yet. I am going to take an official visit there from March 4-6. Jacob Diebler is my main recruiter there.”

Texas Tech: “They guard well, I have watched them a good bit, and they are high on playing defense hard. That fits with how I play.”

Xavier: “I talk with coach Jordan Brooks a lot. They play free, and their coach trusts them to go out and make plays.”

Depaul: “They aren’t as highly rated or thought of as a team, but they play well together. Their coaches trust the players, and they focus hard on defense.”

Middleton’s take

“Baylor is really the only school who hasn’t offered that reaches out regularly,” Middleton said. “I am going to look closely at the system and how they use versatile guys like me. Whichever school believes in me both on and off the court. I want to go to a school that focuses on defense.”

On3’s take

Scotty Middleton is a versatile defender. He has the length and motor to guard on or off the ball and the size to defend up a lineup. With his feet set, Middleton can knock down a jump shot and is excellent in transition, switching ends quickly. He will need to continue tightening his ball skills and shooting off the bounce, but his motor keeps him productive.