It was unsure whether Chaparral High School 6-foot-8, 220-pound senior post Joe Boyd would wait until the spring signing period to make his decision, or even consider going to a prep school next year before moving on to the collegiate ranks. This weekend, Boyd made his decision and gave a verbal commitment to a program in the Missouri Valley Conference.
After receiving strong recruitment by Drake University throughout the spring and summer months, Boyd ended his college recruitment once again and gave his verbal pledge to head coach Mark Phelps and his basketball staff. Drake assistant coach Chris Brazelton, a new assistant to the Drake staff was instrumental in the recruitment of Boyd.
Boyd previously gave an early verbal commitment to New Mexico State last summer (2011), before re-opening his college recruitment just months later.
Boyd is currently our #1 rated power forward prospect in Arizona's 2013 class, after the departure of Torren Jones (transferred to the state of Indiana).
Boyd began to pick up recruiting steam after missing much of the high school season as a junior due to injury. Boyd is among the state's most skilled post prospects and the best skill player at the power forward position in Arizona's 2013 class. Boyd saw his recruitment pick up this summer, after a strong performance at this summer's Reebok Breakout Camp in Philadelphia, PA, but then saw it tail off after a subpar performance for himself during the remainder of the summer - after the event.
Drake will be a good program for Boyd - a good balance of athletics and academics. The Missouri Valley Conference boasts some of the best basketball played every year and competes at a very high level.
Congratulations to Boyd and his family on this commitment. Boyd will return healthy this high school season to team up with a young, but very talented, roster for the Firebirds and make Chaparral one of the teams to beat in the state's Division-I Class.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Boyd is one of the state's most skilled and talented post prospects. A skilled, face-up four man prospect, Boyd is a nice talent that still needs to embrace the four position, but has the ability to play on the low block or face the basket out to three-point distance. Boyd has really improved his jump shot over the years, and is capable of scoring the basketball off the dribble while facing his defender from the wing. Continued development in his perimeter shooting stroke will allow him to reach his maximum potential as a player. A strong and active rebounder when he focuses in on it, but needs to continue to work in this area. Has excellent low post footwork and a very good overall feel for the game. A good passer out of the post and is capable of handling the basketball in the half-court set. Runs the floor very well and is a very good finisher around the basket - his best attribute. Has excellent work ethic and loves to improve as a player, something that will fair well for him at the collegiate level. A solid all-around prospect that should continue to improve over time. A very good recruit.
