Top-50 incoming junior Jalen Reece talks his recruitment, game
In evaluating the 2025 class, it seems as if this class has no shortage of bucket-getters.
5-foot-10 guard Jalen Reece, an Orlando native playing for Oak Ridge High School and his AAU ball with the Florida Rebels, has been on the scene since he was playing in junior high school. Reece has not only been getting buckets for years, but he even played above his age group on various occasions.
Now, entering the thick of things in his high school career, Reece is now considered a Top-50 recruit. His hard work and grind which as I said, dates back to junior high school, is now paying off and he is a recruit that’s being highly touted all over the country.
Despite being one of the team’s underclassmen last season, Reece played a pivotal part in Oak Ridge reaching the Class 7A Semi-finals. He was a menace on both ends, having season averages of 14 points, 7.5 assists, and nearly four steals a game. Not to mention, the prime-time scorer also dished nearly four assists per game.
With the Florida Rebels, Reece’s success has translated. Even with a great surrounding crew, Reece has been a key part of the Rebels and is averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 assists, and is shooting the ball at a high rate, including nearly 60% from three-point range.
The contact period and so on has been a very busy time for Reece but in a good way. Has added several offers, including most recently Penn State and Kansas State. For Reece, I expect the offer spree to continue, and he’s a name to keep tabs on all summer headed into his junior year.
Reece got with Stockrisers.com to discuss his recruitment and his game and answered a fun question at the end.
Which schools would you say are the heaviest involved currently?
“The schools that are the most involved are Cincinnati, Missouri, Houston, Stanford, UCF, and Georgia State.”
Do any newer schools enter the mix?
“Yes, Penn State and Kansas State just offered me from these live periods.”
Penn State, what are your thoughts on them and your reaction to the offer?
“I know that Penn State has a great fan base and that their basketball program is good so I was excited. I mean, it’s just a blessing to know that I’m going to be able to compete at the highest level every time I get an offer.”
How about Cincinnati, thoughts on them and what is the pitch?
“Cincinnati is like my second home, so it feels good to know that they want me. They are saying that they like the way I play being a true point guard who can score at will. They want me to be a part of what they’re building.”
Kansas State, how do you feel about them and their program?
“Kansas State just came off an elite eight run, so their program is growing and just knowing that they are a winning program and they like winning is big as well.”
Visits, have you started planning any?
“No, I haven’t started planning them yet.”
How would you best break down your game for someone who hasn’t seen you play?
“I’m a true point guard that can run a team and do whatever it takes to win.”
And how can your game evolve more?
“Just being more of a leader and affecting the game more on the defensive end.”
Finally, which NBA guys do you follow and like the most?
“I follow Darius Garland and Kyrie Irving the most.”