Glendale Junior College (11-13, 6-11) has not had the season that Head Coach Ken Carrillo would have liked for his program, but a major bright spot for the team this junior college season has been the play of 6-foot-2, 180-pound sophomore guard Eric Blackwell. A former graduate of Corona Del Sol High School, which has produced numerous elite performers over the years, Blackwell has had a very good career for GCC. After a strong freshman season for himself, Blackwell has returned as a sophomore and is currently ranked among the top overall scoring leaders in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) this season - doing all he can to keep his program competitive.
After a brief stint at a smaller college program as a freshman, Blackwell played his freshman season last year for Glendale JC, and became an immediate contributor and starter for Coach Carrillo. Last season, Blackwell's ability to shoot the basketball kept defenses honest, while this season he has been the main focus for the team - leading the team in scoring and ranking among the best scorers in the ACCAC - averaging 18.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per/game, while shooting impressive numbers from the field (45.4%), from three-point distance (42.3%) and also from the free-throw line (84.6%). Blackwell is among the best pure shooters of the basketball in the conference, and ranks 5th in the ACCAC in scoring.
A skilled shooter with excellent range and a quick release on his shot, Blackwell is a combo-guard prospect that is capable of playing either guard position on the floor, but is at his best as a shooter of the basketball. He can play both guard positions on the floor and defend both guard positions. He has a scorer's mentality and is a strong shooter of the basketball. Fundamentally sound. A good ball handler and passer. Left hander. A very good defender that plays passing lanes. Plays with poise.
Blackwell is a very good looking guard prospect for a 4-year college program, and he will be able to immediately help a program with his ability to play the game and shoot the basketball. He has paid his dues in the junior college ranks and is now well deserving of serious college recruitment. He is currently hearing from numerous Division-II programs for his services.
I will continue to follow the recruitment and play of Blackwell this junior college season, as he rounds out a nice college career at Glendale JC.
