One of the elite prospects in America's 2027 Class is set to make his college decision, as 6-foot-6, 185-pound junior guard/forward Javon Bardwell will decide this week between (4) college programs. It was announced this week on social media that Bardwell has reached his final list of schools, and will now announce his college decision, as a result. Bardwell, who has recently took official recruiting visits, will make his college decision this week from a final list that includes Kansas, Louisville, Texas and USC.
It will be very interesting to see where Bardwell ultimately lands this week, and there has also been talk about Bardwell moving from the 2027 Class, and up to the 2026 Class - entering college athletics next college season. Recently, Bardwell took an official recruiting visit to the University of Kansas, so the Jayhawks could be very tough to beat out in this college decision by Bardwell, but we will soon find out.
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.
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 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. 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, and will have a big season this year. This will be a big college decision for this tremendous talent, and I look forward to finding out where he will land for college. I also look forward to watching him to continue to develop as a player, as I believe that Bardwell will ultimately become an NBA talent over time. Stay tuned.
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.
