Antonio Pemberton has put a date on his college decision.
The No. 20 player in the class and one of the top point guards in the country will announce his commitment Friday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. ET on the CBS Sports College Basketball YouTube channel.
Pemberton, a 6-foot-1, 165-pound guard from Masters Academy International, is choosing from eight finalists: Marquette, Boston College, Michigan State, Creighton, Tennessee, UCLA, Ohio State and Kansas.
His announcement is coming before he finishes several visits that were already on the calendar. He had not yet taken trips to UCLA or Ohio State before setting the date, and he also had not made an official visit to Boston College, though he had previously been to the Eagles’ program unofficially.
Even with more in-person evaluation still available, Pemberton is moving to end the process now.
247sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein described Pemberton as a scoring guard and tough shot-maker who averaged 24 points per game during the 3SSB season. He also averaged 4.3 assists, but his game is built around scoring volume and the freedom to take over possessions. Finkelstein noted that Pemberton doesn’t have ideal size or length, yet has still shown he can carry a team, pointing to his run with the Mass Rivals, who reached the finals of the 3SSB Summer Championships.
The shot-making is the calling card. Pemberton thrives on pull-ups from mid-range and beyond the arc, gets good lift on his release, and has the kind of fade that doesn’t need much separation. He also finishes with touch around the rim, can use his body to create space off the bounce, and handles the ball well enough to string together moves and change pace with hang dribbles.
He is usually operating in traffic near the basket, but he has floaters to match his pull-up game, a strong left hand, and draws a heavy dose of free throws, shooting 79% on 7 attempts per game.
At the next level, his game will need some refining. He’ll have to make faster decisions, move without the ball more often, and become just as comfortable catching and shooting as he is creating off the dribble. Finkelstein also said Pemberton has shown flashes as a passer and could use his gravity to set up others more consistently.
Defensively, he brings active hands, quick feet and an early feel for verticality, though his size will make him a target in certain matchups. Still, Finkelstein said what separates him is the competitiveness he brings. He plays with intensity and fire, and while that edge can sometimes run hot, it more often gives him an edge that helps him stand out.
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