By CHARLIE PARENT
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Josh Powell, a four-star guard in the class of 2026, starred at this past weekend’s CHSAA June Showcase at Iona Prep, averaging around 17 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists across three games for Archbishop Molloy.
Powell, who plays up an age for Wiz Kids 17U on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, brings a unique blend of physicality and perimeter scoring, excelling at getting to his spots in the mid-range game and walling off the inside on defense with his frame.
“I’m a 6-5 guard, strong, physical guard that can get to my spots,” he said. “I play a lot in the mid-range game, pulling up into my spots. And then I can shoot the ball at a high level, the so the three ball and everything, I can shoot wherever on the court. I get to the rim and I play hard. I play physical defense, I’m a dog on defense and [overall] just an all around on the three-level scorer.”
Powell’s been known as a prolific scorer in his first two years of CHSAA play, but it’s the intangibles and rebounding that stuck out the most this weekend.
“Everybody can score. Everybody can find somebody that can average 20 now in college,” he said. “So I have to try to do other things that separates myself from any other high school recruit. I know if I’m rebounding at a high level, just as I’m scoring, coaches will want that even more. Anytime I see the ball go up, I just crash the boards and get as many rebounds as I can.”
Since the NCAA Contact Period opened up on June 15, Powell has heard from a whole host of schools, including Kansas, Miami, Mississippi State (offer), Illinois (offer), Seton Hall, UAlbany (offer), Marist (offer), Quinnipiac, Le Moyne, Kent State, George Washington and UCSB, among others.
He has an unofficial visit with Seton Hall in the works, most likely for sometime within this week.
Powell broke down his early options to ZAGSBLOG:
Kansas: “Coach Norm Roberts called me on June 15. He was telling me how he’s seen me play out at Adidas, and he loved my game and how hard I play. He’s [Roberts] really familiar with the New York area, having coached at St. John’s and he really loves strong, New York City tough, guards.
“There’s not even much to think about with a school like that. It’s a high major Blue Blood and a great school.”
Seton Hall: “I talked with them for over 30 minutes after the game [Sunday]. Coach [Rasheen] Davis is a cool guy. He was telling me about the recruitment process. I know they play in the Big East with a lot of other great teams like St. John’s and UConn, so they definitely play good competition.”
Miami: “I’ve spoke to coach Jim Larrañaga before but this was the first time he’s really contacted me personally. He texts me every two-or-three days. He’s cool, he’s been there [Miami] for a very long time and he used to go to Molloy too, so we always talk about that.”
Mississippi State: “It’s been good. They always contact me and my AAU coach, so they’re good and I really like the [staff] they have.”
Illinois: “Again, they contacted me and my AAU coach. They’re fanbase is crazy, though, they always text me on Twitter.”
While high major schools are after Powell, he’s still keeping all doors open, building longstanding relationships with schools like Albany and Marist, who come to nearly all his games.
In terms of securing offers from the high majors like Miami and Kansas, Powell knows he just needs to keep making the right plays and play at a high octane.
“I think it’s just about continuing to play at a high level and play the right way,” he said. “I still have another year to play 17U and show these coaches that I can compete at a high level, I think that’s what will separate myself. So just doing that, keep playing my game and not forcing anything. I think I will eventually get the offers if I keep doing those things.”
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