By Joseph Staszewski
Rawle Alkins isn’t fazed by having some of the nation’s best college programs and coaches getting in line for his services.
This is what he expected to happen and has been prepared for at Christ the King and by Royals assistant and New York Rens travel ball Coach Artie Cox.
“My coach told me to except stuff like this,” Alkins said. “My coach told me to expect to be known as one of the best when it is all said and done. He told me to expect high major offers.”
That is exactly what that 6-foot-4, 185-pound rising junior received after excelling at the Adidas Unrivaled camp in Chicago two weeks ago. Alkins, who has more than a dozen scholarship offers, picked up ones from Louisville, Indiana, Providence, North Carolina State, Miami and most recently Kansas.
Kentucky, Texas and defending national champions UConn have also begun showing interest, among a host of other schools, but Alkins isn’t going to rest on his laurels.
“I never settle,” he said. “I always expect more from me. I hope by the end of the summer every school is looking at me.”
Louisville Coach Rick Pitino saw Alkins, who is the No. 27-ranked player in the country according to rivals.com, post a near triple double with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in one of the games at Adidas Unrivaled. The small forward didn’t notice the headman at that contest, but saw him in the crowd. The game after the Cardinals offered.
Alkins, who takes pride in being an all-around player and shut-down defender, was also a standout at the camp’s all-star game. He left a strong impression on all who watch him.
“A man amongst boys once he gets going,” said one Division I assistant coach familiar with Alkins. “There aren’t a lot of quote-unquote big-time players in New York City, but even if there were, he’d be at the top of the list as the best in NYC.”
How big is Alkins starting to get? Well, rapper R. Kelly, who Alkins shot around with in Chicago, recently tweeted a photo of him and urged people to follow Alkins on Twitter and Instagram.
“That’s my man,” Alkins said.
TimesLedger Newspapers’ All-Queens Player of the Year last season will have to continue to be the guy at Christ the King as the Royals look to win a third straight CHSAA Intersectional championship and state Federation Class AA title.
Alkins will be called upon to lead an inexperienced but talented core with Travis Atson, the reigning CHSAA playoff MVP, transferring to South Kent (Connecticut). Alkins has plenty of confidence in teammates Yashawn Bright, Tyrone Cohen, Jared Rivers and David Cole.
The Royals should still be the early favorites to repeat as city champions in Alkins’ mind. He wishes Atson the best and said while his presence on the roster would have helped, the Royals have enough to win.
“They are really under-the-radar guys. Hopefully, you guys are going to realize it … that we are still a great team,” Alkins said.
Until then, his busy summer continues. Alkins was at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas with the Rens earlier this week. He will also represent the United States at the Adidas Nations tournament starting Aug. 1 as some of America’s top talent competes against the best high school players from around the world.
He isn’t overwhelmed by any of it, just confidently soaking in every minute of it. It is everything he expected.
“I enjoy all of it,” Alkins said.
