It was an amazing end the to the high school basketball season, and it was an amzing week as well for Bella Vista Prep's 6-foot-4 senior guard Jeron Artest. Previously considered a member of Arizona's 2020 Class, Artest recently decided to reclassify to the 2019 Class and this week he decided to sign a national letter of intent with a member of the Big-West Conference.
This week, Artest decided to join Bella Vista teammate, Emmanuel Tshimanga as a 2019 signee for the UC-Irvine basketball program, as Artest decided to sign with Head Coach Russell Turner and his basketball program.
Artest chose UC-Irvine over offers from St. John's, Bucknell and Wyoming.
Artest was instrumental in helping lead the Bella Vista basketball program this season to a national championship on the Grind Session circuit. His ability to defend opposing guards was a valuable benefit to the Bella Vista coaching staff in their pursuit of winning a national championship.
After thinking things over, now Artest has decided rather than going back to Bella Vista for another season, he will instead play collegiately next fall at UC-Irvine in the Big West Conference for a winning program that competed in the NCAA Tournament this season.
Artest, the son of former NBA player Ron "Metta Worldpeace" Artest, decided to leave the Hillcrest Prep program during the middle of the high school season, and transfer to Bella Vista Prep.
Artest is a bigger guard prospect that is capable of playing both guard positions on the floor, but he is at his best from the point guard position as a result of his strong handle of the basketball, excellent feel for the game and a unique ability to see the floor and find the open man. He has a nice body with superb physical strength and improved athleticism. His best attribute is that he is a lock-down defender from the guard position on the court, and he is able to create serious pressure on opposing guards.
Congratulations to Artest and his family, as well as the Bella Vista Prep basketball program on this accomplishment - another big signing from the Bella Vista Prep program.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Artest has grown a great deal physically throughout his high school career - adding some very good size and strength to his frame. A very intriguing prospect that has an excellent feel for the game and an advanced overall skillet, that allows him to make plays for himself and others off the dribble. He sees the floor very well and sees plays before they happen. Has a high basketball IQ. Has a very good handle of the basketball, and is a very good shooter with range on his shot and also a nice mid-range game as well. An excellent defender that plays passing lanes and has very good toughness as a player. A lock-down one-on-one defender with quick hands and feet. The son of former NBA star player Ron Artest. A player/prospect on the rise.
