Top-100 junior Zayden High is on the map, talks recruitment
It’s Springtime, which means AAU basketball is underway and high school hoop recruits have the opportunity to showcase their talent, in an attempt to prove their worth to college coaches and scouts from all over America.
Each and every Spring we see a handful of players who you’ve never heard of before turn into national commodities after just one weekend. The players who have thrived while under-the-radar, finally are put onto the map.
This past weekend in Orlando, Zayden High showed the entire country his worth.
High, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward, is running with JL3 Elite and had a spectacular weekend which helped him benefit both on and off the floor.
In four games with JL3 Elite this weekend, High averaged 21.7 points per game on 50% shooting, including 30% from downtown, an area in which High says he wishes to continue improving on. High also grabbed 5.5 rebounds per game and also recorded a block in multiple games as well.
His game has been reflected in his recruitment, landing a handful of new scholarship offers over the last 36 hours, including scholarships from Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Alabama, TCU, and Creighton, amongst many new interests as well.
High has had hoop dreams since his mom and dad put a stuffed ball in his hands at the age of three. Now, he says it’s time to chase his dreams of playing pro basketball and his journey just flipped another page in the books, a breakout in his recruitment.
He discussed his recruitment, his game, his family, and more with Stockrisers.com. Ladies and gents, Zayden High.
Which schools are now on you heavy?
“Obviously the schools that have offered in the past couple of hours, and right now I think I have a good relationship with most of the programs that have offered.”
And who are the newest schools, since this weekend?
“Texas, North Carolina, Creighton, Alabama, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas State, and there are a couple of other schools I’m supposed to talk to today [Monday].”
Alabama, discuss your thoughts on that offer and what do you know about the Tide?
“Well, I know that Colin Sexton went there and Nate Oats has a really good program up there.”
Texas Tech, what were your thoughts on that offer and them being a regional school, what do you know about them?
“My mom's side of the family all went to Tech so i’ve heard a bunch about them, whether it’s basketball, baseball, or even football. They got a good atmosphere up there for sure.”
You now said UNC has entered your recruitment, discuss that and what that means to you?
”Crazy (pauses), been a dream since I was a little kid to even have an interest from the same school Michael Jordan went to.”
Let’s talk about your childhood and hoops a bit, who put the ball in your hands, and is your family a hoops family?
“I’d say, my mom and dad. I had a stuffed basketball when I was about three playing on the little tykes basketball hoop. Ever since then it was a wrap.”
And now you’re going to be considered a top-50 prospect, what stands out about your game?
“The fact that I can shoot at 6’’9, 6’10, and I take passion in rebounding. I can pass the ball really well and I block shots at the rim.”
Areas you want to improve in?
“Staying low on the defensive end, taking care of the ball, stop making silly fouls, and just improving my overall game.”
And now that your recruitment is picking up at a good time, when will you take visits?
“I'm going to start taking visits in the month we have off in June.”
Is anything planned yet or anything in the works?
“Yeah, I’m going to take a visit to Houston and Arkansas in June. I’m gonna take more visits this summer now that it has picked up.”
What are your thoughts on NIL and how does it impact you?
“I feel like it has an impact on everyone that wants to play basketball and make money in college. But it impacts me because I can help my family financially, for sure.”
The goal of the summer?
“My goal this summer is to win Peach Jam with JL3. That’s the main focus.”