In exciting fashion and in front of the participants from this year's Area Codes Hidden 20 Showcase, held at The PHHACILITY in Phoenix, stud 6-foot-8 junior guard/wing prospect Javon "Vonny" Bardwell made a huge decision, when he chose to announce his early college decision to commit to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, one of the most storied college basketball program's in our nation's history. Legendary Head Coach Bill Self and his very experienced basketball staff have landed one of the most electric and dynamic prospects in the country - a prospect that should become a crowd favorite quickly for the Jayhawk faithful. Bardwell is a big time talent for the future with major upside, and Kansas has jumped on him early - a tremendous announcement by Bardwell who is still a mere 2027 prospect.
Bardwell advised Arizona Preps in a recent interview that he was recruited by heavily by Kansas assistant Tony Bland, who recently joined the Kansas staff, after a stint at University of Washington. Bland has been widely regarded for some time as one of the top recruiters in the country. Landing Bardwell early proves it, as this young man has the potential to have an excellent college career.
Bardwell chose Kansas over his final list of (4) schools, which also included Louisville, Texas and USC. Bardwell advised us that he did not want to take any more visits, and that he was set on Kansas, which helped him to make such an early decision.
A member of PHH Prep's amazing Diamond Doves OTE Elite program, organized by Arizona basketball aficionado John Ortega and his experienced staff, Bardwell is the real deal. Bardwell is one of the hottest prospects in America's 2027 Class.
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.
Bardwell is currently ranked as the #33 prospect in America's 2027 Class by ESPN.
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. Bardwell has continued to soar as a college prospect, and will have a big season this year.
Congratulations to Bardwell and his amazing family on this amazing accomplishment from our staff here @ Arizona Preps. Kansas is getting a very good one. Also congratulations, once again, to Program Director John Ortega and his OTE Elite Diamond Doves program on another huge commitment.
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.
