Prospect Spotlight: Libby Arnold (2020)
Cedar Rapids Xavier had a pretty solid team last year going 14-9 but they should be even better this year. They have a few pieces that are going to really contribute a lot this year. One of those players who…
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Continue ReadingCedar Rapids Xavier had a pretty solid team last year going 14-9 but they should be even better this year. They have a few pieces that are going to really contribute a lot this year. One of those players who we expect to have a breakout season is junior Libby Arnold. The 5’10 shooting guard is a player who is going to have a big season this year and her recruiting is really going to start churning as the coaches get in the gym to watch her play.
Arnold is getting a little recruiting interest already with Columbia (NY) Â and College of St. Marys (NE) showing the most interest. She has gotten a little interest from Division II and Division III schools throughout the midwest. Arnold has not taken any visits yet and doesn’t have any on her future radar either.
One of the first things that you notice about her game is how well she moves without the ball. She is always looking to get into position to receive a pass and score at the basket. Arnold is able to use her shiftiness to get past her defender and get open. Moving without the ball is something that not a lot of players do very well anymore and Arnold is one of the best that I have seen at doing it.
Arnold can score on the inside or the outside. She is strong enough that she is able to finish through contact and she can contort her body to score the ball driving through the lane. She is a good catch-and-shoot player on the perimeter and she is still fine tuning her jump shot. Arnold makes her money on slashing to the rim creating opportunities to be hit with a pass.
Being a 5’10 guard, Arnold is very versatile on defense. She is able to guard both perimeter players and players on the inside. She has no fear and will go right into the paint to guard a bigger player. Arnold is someone who is still improving on defense and once she reaches her defensive potential will be a really solid two-way player.
At the next level, Arnold is looking to go to a school that has solid academics. She is looking to major in either physical therapy or sports journalism, but isn’t too set on anything quite yet. Her choice of schools will be plentiful because she is a high academic kid. This is a player who is going to keep getting better and as the season gets underway she is going to be grabbing the attention of a lot of programs.