Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Class of 2025 Jaylen Harrell breaks down Alabama, Providence, Georgetown, and UMass offers after huge EYBL weekend
By CHARLIE PARENT
Class of 2025 guard Jaylen Harrell picked up his first four offers from Alabama, Georgetown, Providence, and UMass last weekend after averaging 23 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in five games for Expressions Elite in the first EYBL session of the year.
“I think I played great,” Harrell said in a phone interview. “Both offense and defense was great and my rebounding was good. I scored when I wanted so I hope it was a good impression to the coaches that watched.”
While still in the early stages, the 6-foot-6 St. Sebastian’s School (MA.) broke down his contact with Alabama and mentioned that each school is giving similar messages at this time.
“They [Alabama] definitely want to see me be more of a guard,” he said. “I saw them at one of my games and they were impressed by the shooting and scoring. I would probably say they want me to play a little more defense or choose to guard the point guard instead of the shooting guard. That’s the same for the other schools as well.”
Harrell will also try to visit Providence, Georgetown, and Boston College this summer, though nothing is official.
“I might try to take a visit to Providence, Georgetown, and maybe Boston College,” he said.
He has previously been in contact with Boston College, but has yet to receive an offer from the ACC program.
“I went to their camp in the summer and I’ve been on two unofficial visits,” Harrell said. “Hopefully I can get an offer soon. Throughout the EYBL they’ll be texting me and saying how good of a player I am. At the end of the day, just got to keep working.”
From the DX database: Top-10 performances (EWA) at Nike EYBL 16U after day one.
In terms of what he’ll try to develop over his last two high school years, Harrell sites versatility and facilitating more.
“Probably facilitate more and become more of a 1-2,” he said. “Right now I’m running more of a 2-3 and it’s no problem the coaches love it but making sure I’m guarding the 1 and guarding the 2. They always say you are what you guard and I think my defense is just as good as my offense so if I guard the 1 that means I can run the 1 on offense.”
“Jaylen Harell brings the heart of 10 men where he plays,” Expressions Elite coach Ken Jackson said. “Any program or coach would love to have him. His shooting efficiency and being able to score the ball at all 3 levels separates him from most.”
“It would be hard to find things for Jaylen to work on because he’s good at most things but we will have to find something to be great at,” Jackson continued. “Our challenge would be to challenge to do more”
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