One of the elite overall prospects in Arizona's 2027 Class emerged this season as a future star, as Desert Mountain High School's talented 6-foot-4 freshman guard Javon Bardwell emerged immediately on the varsity basketball scene. Bardwell was tremendous in his first season of action and quickly became one of the hottest young prospects in the state. With a serious future ahead of him as a college basketball prospect, Bardwell is another young prospect in the state well on the rise in his college recruitment - receiving his first Division-I offer to his credit from Northern Arizona University.
Northern Arizona Head Coach Shane Burcar and his coaching staff continue to do an excellent job in recruiting our state, as Coach Burcar was consistently seen this season at prep school and high school basketball games evaluating and recruiting some of the state's best talent. Burcar and his staff are also no strangers to getting on top-rated Arizona talent early in the recruiting process, and Bardwell is an excellent prospect for college programs to line up for early, as he will certainly blossom over time as a player and college prospect.
Bardwell burst on to the varsity basketball scene this past season, teaming up with "The House Twins," super sophomore guards Kalek and Kaden House, and creating one of the elite offensive trio's in the West. Desert Mountain would hold the top spot in our team rankings for Arizona's top teams for much of the season, before losing the services and inside presence of 6-foot-8 junior post Jaylon Johnson to a transfer at mid-season. Desert Mountain would finish the season with a 21-8 overall record on the season, falling to Basha HS in the quarterfinals of the Open Division State Playoffs. Barwell would help lead Desert Mountain to numerous big wins during the season, including wins over Sierra Canyon (CA), Bishop Gorman (NV), Campbell Hall (CA), Gonzaga Prep (WA), Notre Dame Prep and St. Mary's High School. Barwell would average 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per/game as a mere freshman against top-rated national competition throughout the season.
Bardwell has not skipped a beat in his play, as he has transitioned nicely to the club circuit - playing for West Coast Elite (CA) and Ryan Silver this spring and summer. Barwell has had a strong performance on the club circuit already, and is generating loads of college interest now, as a result. The recruiting focus created by Ryan Silver and his WCE staff will surely benefit Bardwell over time, and should also help to significantly raise his overall exposure to college programs. He is certainly on the rise in his college recruitment.
Barwell is a unique offensive talent as he has nice size and length, combined with superb athleticism and an ability to finish strong at the rim in the half-court set and in the open floor. He is still growing physically a great deal, and his extreme length of arms and legs suggest that he will continue to grow. He is an excellent scorer of the basketball with a pure ability to get buckets. He has a pure shooting stroke with unlimited range on his shot and a quick release, and can catch and shoot or create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates off the dribble. He has excellent body control and does not mind physical contact, as he gets to the free-throw line quite often, as a result of the high level competitor that he is. He plays with a purpose and competes hard on both ends of the floor. An active rebounder and a strong rebounder from the guard position. Pushes the ball up the floor and plays very well in a fast-paced offense. An excellent scorer in transition and a strong finisher.
I look for Bardwell to continue to soar on the Under Armour club circuit this spring and summer, in preparation for a big sophomore season next year. I also look forward to watching him to continue to develop throughout his high school career, and expect big things over time from this promising college prospect. I will continue to keep you posted as his college recruitment and playing career continue to develop over time.
