Henricksen: Overlooked Carlos Hines set to be breakout senior

Outsized expectations and hyperbole do not accompany Carlos Hines as he embarks on his senior season at North Lawndale.

That’s kind of nice for a change when it comes to a talented Chicago Public League player.

But the attention given to Hines is too underwhelming, so let’s call the 6-3 guard what he is: The most unheralded senior in the Class of 2017.

How else would you describe a player ranked among the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top 15 prospects in the Class of 2017 who has just two offers –– from Winthrop and Chicago State.

There is always a senior who surpasses expectations and puts together a monster final season and, along the way, carries his team to unexpected heights. Hines is on track to be that player after being mostly missed on the summer circuit while playing for a lower profile AAU team.

“He’s out to prove a point and is so focused right now,” says North Lawndale coach Lewis Thorpe. “He feels he’s overlooked and is upset about it.

“But he’s a 4.0 kid in the classroom, has never had a single discipline report, is very coachable and works harder than anyone. All of those things is where it starts with Carlos. He’s a special kid in those ways.”

This past weekend it was about results on the floor. Hines led North Lawndale to a Thanksgiving Tournament title and earned MVP honors while averaging 21 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds a game.

Hines, who has polished up his game over the past year and gained strength with work in the weight room, plays hard and produces. He’s wired to score and will put up numbers. He gets to the rim in transition, hits step-back jumpers and has range out to the three-point line while playing within the team concept.

“He scores the ball, can really put it in the basket,” says Thorpe of his star guard. “With his high basketball I.Q. he’s smart enough to know when and how to score. He also is aware of who has the hot hand and will find that player.”

Hines plays plenty of minutes on the ball as North Lawndale’s point guard, thus he’s emerged as a dual offensive threat. He continues to show he may be able to run an offense in a pinch at the next level as a combo guard.

And next level interest is coming. Hines is still uncommitted and overlooked but his play this season will warrant Division I interest at the mid-major level before it’s all said and done.

Let the curtain rise on the most under-recruited player left on the board in the senior class.

Follow Joe Henricksen and the City/Suburban Hoops Report on Twitter @joehoopsreport