_634_337_rot270_s_337_634_84shar-70_e271b8d237c5b3e3_rot90.jpg)
Ari Rosenfeld:
Future150 Regional Analyst. Covering high school basketball in the Mid-Atlantic.
Philadelphia, PA (Future150) -- One of the Adidas Gauntlet's biggest stock risers throughout the spring and summer, Jordan Usher is starting to look like someone who could be an instant impact guy at any number of high-major programs.
Playing alongside 5-star 2018 recruit E.J. Montgomery on the Atlanta Celtics, Usher was the sixth-leading scorer on the entire Adidas circuit, averaging an even 20 points per game and pulling in 7.5 rebounds per contest to boot. He’s shown flashes of his defensive potential as well, using a long 6’6” frame to pull in over two steals per game.
Since we spoke to him at the NBPA Top 100 camp in Charlottesville last month, Usher has announced a list of his final six schools: Texas, Arizona State, USC, Kansas State, Stanford, Yale. Of those six, he mentioned at the time that he was in “constant contact” with Texas, Arizona State, and Kansas State.
Arizona State has been tracking him very closely throughout the live periods, and could be emerging as a favorite with Usher previously having expressed an affinity for the Pac-12.
“I’m really interested in the west coast… just because I’ve been out there, and the play style,” he said in Charlottesville. “I like the play style of the Pac-12 because of my position. I’m not extremely muscular or a point guard, I like to play smoother and get some jumpers, come off screens.”
Of his final six, Usher already has plans to visit Texas and Arizona State next month, and would like to arrange some other west coast visits after the Adidas Nations event in Los Angeles later this month.
With his combination of size and shooting ability, as well as a capable off-the-dribble game, Usher has the chance to be an immediate contributor at whichever school he chooses, and college coaches have certainly taken notice.
“They like the way that I can score at different spots,” he said. “I’ve really been working on my midrange and my jump shot, so they’re interested in that a good bit.”
Despite his huge AAU season and a strong showing at Top 100 camp, Usher isn’t allowing himself to be content with his game as he prepares for the next level.
“Definitely just being able to play with two speeds,” he said in regards to what he’s working on the most. “I’m an energetic guy but I sometimes can get caught up with playing too fast and making turnovers, so playing with two speeds and having control.”
Now that he’s cut his list, look for Usher to move fairly quickly with the scheduling of his official visits and his eventual commitment, and whichever program ultimately lands him should look forward to a readymade contributor on the wing.
Comments:
Be the first to post. Just use the form below.