In the current state of basketball across the country, as a result of the Corona Virus (COVID-19), basketball action across the country and in Arizona has ceased, but college recruitment has been at an all-time high, as college programs across the country have had to focus much of their time on the recruiting of college prospects.
There have been many members of Arizona's junior college ranks that have benefited lately in their recruitment. Here are some of the Arizona juco prospects that benefited the most in their college recruitment this spring . . .
Naje Smith 6-8 SOPH SF/PF Cochise JC (Boise State commit)
Naje Smith (pictured) had a very good sophomore season for himself and Cochise, helping lead the program to a regular season ACCAC title. Smith put up serious numbers, averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds per/game. A native of Washington, Smith really benefited from his stint at Cochise and increased his overall recruitment in the process. Smith is a long, athletic talent that can play inside and out and still has some upside, as he gets physically stronger. Smith has given the biggest commitment to date this season in the conference, and has chose to verbal to Boise State University and Head Coach Leon Rice.
Xavier Fuller 6-5 SOPH SF Scottsdale JC (South Dakota commit)
Fuller had an excellent season for himself and was selected as our Arizona Preps Player of the Year. Fuller led Scottsdale JC to the best record in the conference among division-II schools, and was selected as a First-Team All-American by the NJCAA for his efforts this season. Fuller averaged 22.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per/game, and was also selected as the Conference Player of the Week many times this past season. This week, Fuller chose to give a verbal commitment to the University of South Dakota.
Boogie Anderson 6-4 SOPH SG/SF Scottsdale JC (South Dakota commit)
Anderson is a nice talent and also helped his team to a strong season in the ACCAC this year, and was among the top individual performers in the conference this season. Anderson was a versatile performer all season for Head Coach Mark Bunker, and averaged versatility in his numbers - averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per/game. Anderson can play several positions on the floor, and even the point guard position, as needed. This week Anderson gave a nice verbal commitment to the University of South Dakota, where he will be joining SCC teammate Xavier Fuller.
Jalen Townsell 6-6 FR SF Arizona Western JC (Sacramento State commit)
Townsell is a native of Nevada and a transfer from the University of Nevada, where he red-shirted last season. Townsell's stint in the Arizona junior college ranks benefited him nicely, as he had a very good season for a talented team, and set himself up nicely for a superb sophomore season. Rather than return to the juco ranks next season, Townsell found his right fit with Sacrament State, and will have (3) years of eligibility at the program - a superb aspect in his recruiting process. Townsell averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per/game this past junior college season.
