The state of Arizona's basketball culture is on another level these days, as more and more top-rated prospects in the state are consistently receiving national attention. One of the elite prospects in America's 2027 Class resides in the state of Arizona, and is another amazing product of South Phoenix, my hometown as a youth and still today. A member of PHH Prep's amazing Diamond Doves OTE Elite program, organized by Arizona basketball aficionado John Ortega and his experienced staff, 6-foot-6, 185-pound junior wing prospect Javon Bardwell is the real deal. Bardwell is one of the hottest prospects in America's 2027 Class, and is currently receiving loads of Division-I interest for himself. Similar to what has happened with several other top-rated Arizona prospects this spring and summer, I believe Bardwell will be next in line to blow up nationally as more scouts and media realize his true potential and upside for the future.
Bardwell has been on the move previously, but he has found a home with the OTE Elite program, where he landed last season, and had a tremendous showing throughout the program's season, immediately being inserted into the lineup and producing at a very high level. Bardwell has been on a tear since entering the high school ranks and quickly became a top-rated prospect. He has continued to improve at a terrific pace, and has as much upside for a wing prospect as I have seen in some time, as he is a long, rangy and lengthy prospect with a high skill level and athleticism.
After a terrific freshman season at Desert Mountain High School as a freshman, where he starred with the House Twins, Bardwell then landed @ Hillcrest Prep, before eventually finding his home with the OTE Elite program. Bardwell is also coming off another terrific showing this spring and summer, and, as a result, has seen his college recruitment begin to soar.
Bardwell currently has a long list of nice offers for himself early in the recruiting process. He has received offers now from Texas, Louisville, TCU, USC, Texas Tech, Washington, Cal, GCU, Nevada, UC-Santa Barbara, Northern Illinois, Robert Morris, Cal State Bakersfield, Northern Arizona and Montana. Bardwell is on the rise, and this is certainly just the beginning of his recruitment, as many more bigger schools will soon look to get involved over time.
Bardwell is currently ranked as the #33 prospect in America's 2027 Class by ESPN. I believe this ranking will only continue to improve over the next year.
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. Bardwell burst on to the varsity basketball scene, teaming up with "The House Twins," super 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. 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. Bardwell 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 continued to soar as a college prospect, since his freshman season and I look for Bardwell to continue to soar in his college recruitment over time. I look forward to watching him to continue to develop throughout his high school career. I will continue to keep you posted as his college recruitment and playing career continue to develop, but he is definitely on the rise fast.
Arizona Preps Scouting Report: Bardwell 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 wing 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. An elite-level prospect that will become a pro over time.
