In exciting news over the weekend, and with recruiting still going strong for prospects in the 2023 Class, Pinnacle High School's athletic and skilled 6-foot-5 senior wing prospect Ashton Reese made a huge announcement, posting a big commitment to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a Division-I program and a member of the America East Conference. This signing by Reese was a tremendous move after Reese had previously given a commitment during the high school season to a Division-II program, Trevecca Nazarene. After deciding to re-open his college recruitment, Reese how now found his right fit for college.
Reese gave an early commitment to Trevecca Nazarene during the high school season, but knew he was a Division-I talent, and so he re-opened his college recruitment - landing at a Division-i program, after Head Coach Jim Ferry and his coaching staff decided to extend an offer to Reese - making him another Division-I signing in a very loaded 2023 recruiting class of prospects.
Reese heard from many Division-I programs throughout his college recruitment, as such programs as UC-Irvine, George Washington, UC-Riverside, UC-Davis, Northern Arizona, Air Force and many others expressed serious interest, before his ultimate college decision. Coming from a basketball culture in Washington and a very athletic family, Ashton has excellent basketball bloodlines and a true love for and understanding of the game. He has played the game for much of his life and has seen the best competition and performed at a high level against the best out there for some time. He is just now beginning to come into his own as a player.
Reese is a sure-fire college talent, as he has excellent size as a shooter and a pure, quick release on his shot with unlimited range, which makes him a very attractive prospect at 6-5 in height. Rarely do you find prospects with Reese's combination of skill and size, and he is also very athletic off the bounce and can finish strong at the rim over defenders. He stretches defenses with regularity, making him difficult to defend, as he is also able to put the basketball on the floor and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is fundamentally sound and has a nice overall offensive skillset, which should only continue to blossom over the next two years of high school basketball - in preparation for college. He is also a very good ball handler and passer that sees the floor, and looks to find the open man, a nice facet to his game.
Reese is also an active rebounder, although he should only continue to improve in this area of his game over the next two seasons, as he continues to get physically stronger. He will see great growth in this area of his game over time, as he has worked very hard in the weight room on his physical size and strength, and on his explosiveness with top-rated local trainer Sidd Sharma, who is the best in the business and also works with many NBA players and prospects. Sharma has raved to me about Reese and his development over the past year, which speaks volumes for this young man and his progression.
Congratulations to Reese and his amazing family on this tremendous accomplishment from our staff here at Arizona Preps. This honor is very well deserved.
