Sunnyslope High School's 6-foot-7, 185-pound senior forward Jai Anthoni Bearden has found his college fit, after seeing his college recruitment begin to take shape this summer. Bearden received several offers for himself, but has decided on a college program early in the recruiting process, giving a verbal commitment to Ball State University this weekend, and making the announcement on social media on Monday.
Bearden gave a commitment to Ball State Head Coach Michael Lewis and his men's basketball staff, choosing Ball State over other offers from Valparaiso and Portland State.
Bearden had a strong spring and summer performance while playing for the Compton Magic (CA) club program and also had a strong performance for himself and his Sunnyslope team in this year's Section 7 Event. Bearden was very active on the glass and finished strong over defenders, while also showing strong defensive ability and displaying a nice overall skillset with a high motor. As a result of Bearden's performances throughout the spring and summer, he raised many eyebrows of college coaches with his play, resulting in several Division-I offers for himself, and kick-starting his college recruitment.
Bearden was very highly touted as a middle school prospect and early on in his high school career, previously receiving offers from University of Arizona and Portland as a mere freshman prospect. Bearden was once regarded as the top overall prospect in Arizona's 2024 Class, after an illustrious middle school career in the state, and also received loads of national attention early on in his playing career. After seeing his recruiting stock drop after his first two high school seasons, Bearden has soared again while playing for a well-coached and very talented Sunnyslope program, that was a runner-up for last season's Open Division State Championship.
Bearden spent his first two high school seasons at Raymond Kellis HS, where the program struggled to win games. As a sophomore, Bearden averaged 13.4 points and 7 rebounds per/game, but also struggled to get anything going, and lost much of the fanfare he received as a very highly regarded standout middle-school prospect. Bearden then changed high school programs as a junior last season, and helped Sunnyslope to a strong 25-6 overall record, while averaging 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per/game. He will return this season as a senior leader for a very talented and young Sunnyslope team that will have a strong chance to win the state's Open Division State Championship this upcoming season.
Congratulations to Bearden and his family, as well as the Sunnyslope HS program on this tremendous accomplishment from our Arizona Preps' staff.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Bearden has a long, rangy frame that allows him to finish plays above the rim. He has excellent size and length for a wing prospect, and is capable of playing as a 3 0r 4, as needed, but is at his best as a slasher and finisher. He has a good overall skillset that has developed and improved a great deal throughout his high school career. He is an excellent athlete with a very good motor and can make plays in traffic or in the open floor. He is a good scorer that competes hard and makes plays without the basketball in his hands. A good shooter with some range on his shot, but is at his best from mid-range and while attacking the basket. A very active rebounder and finisher. Runs the floor hard. A good ball handler from the wing position. He is a solid passer. Also a strong defender that plays passing lanes and takes pride on the defensive end. An excellent sleeper prospect.
