One of the elite prospects in Arizona's 2027 Class will have a new home next high school season, and is generating loads of recruiting interest for himself in the process. Hillcrest Prep's 6-foot-6, 175-pound sophomore wing prospect Javon Bardwell is the real deal. After a terrific freshman season at Desert Mountain High School last season, Bardwell has now landed @ Hillcrest Prep where he will play his sophomore season. Bardwell also is coming off a terrific showing this spring and summer with the West Coast Elite (CA) club program, and, as a result, has seen his college recruitment begin to take serious shape.
After receiving his first Division-I offer this spring from Northern Arizona, it was just a matter of time before Bardwell saw his recruitment begin to soar. While playing for the highly acclaimed West Coast Elite program this spring and summer, Bardwell would impress many on the scouting front, as he did all season last year for Desert Mountain HS. Bardwell then received an offer from Northern Illinois, and then saw his recruitment blow up, as he has now also received offers from UC-Santa Barbara, Robert Morris, Cal State Bakersfield and Montana, and just received a nice new offer from GCU. 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 also will be playing for Hillcrest Prep this prep season - leaving Desert Mountain after one high school season. With "The House Twins" recently leaving Desert Mountain for AZ Compass Prep, it seemed just a matter of time when Bardwell would also leave for the prep school route. His brother, Jabron Bardwell also announced his recent transfer to AZ Compass Prep, so there will be a very new looking Desert Mountain team next high school season.
Bardwell is a superb addition for Hillcrest Prep that is loaded with talent for next season. He emerged immediately on the varsity basketball scene. as 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 last 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.
I look for Bardwell to continue to soar in his college recruitment, especially now that he has landed at Hillcrest Prep and will team up with a loaded roster of college prospects for his sophomore season. I 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.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: 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.
