Arizona's 2022 Class of prospects is very talented and loaded with numerous prospects for college programs to take a hard look at. One prospect that has simply gone to another level recently is Sunnyslope High School's ultra-athletic 6-foot, 185-pound junior guard Oakland Fort. Fort recently emerged on the national recruiting scene, after a big performance on ESPN - a big win by Sunnyslope over Mater Dei High School (CA), 52-42. In the win, Fort went off for a game-high 23 points, which catapulted his college recruitment and his reputation for getting it done at a high level.
Fort returns for his junior season, after a strong sophomore campaign, in which he helped lead a very talented Sunnyslope HS program to a 23-6 overall record on the season, and in the 5A Division. This season, Sunnysloppe has moved up to the 6A Division, but sports as talented a lineup as there is in the state - regardless of division/class. Fort will again lead this year's talented group, after a sophomore season in which he averaged 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 assists per/game, and also a strong performance as a freshman.
While I felt Fort was one of the best sleeper prospects in Arizona's 2022 Class last spring and summer (2020), he is no longer a sleeper prospect, as his performance on national television showcased his superior NBA athleticism and advanced overall skillset. Fort is as quick and explosive a guard prospect as there is in the West, regardless of class. He has significant bounce and lift off the floor, and plays at a high speed on both ends of the floor - glaring attributes for him as a college prospect.
Currently, Fort has one offer to his credit from Northern Arizona, but many schools are now in pursuit and evaluating him closely. He has really suffered in his current college recruitment due to the COVID restrictions, as many people have not yet seen him up close in competition, but I expect his college recruitment to really soar next spring and summer. Fort is a unique talent for his size, and it should pay off nicely for him over time.
Fort is a pass-first point guard prospect, that enjoys getting his teammates the basketball and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. He is also a proven scorer as well, as evidenced by his outburst against Mater Dei, but it is not his focus. He is a good shooter with excellent range on his shot, but he needs to continue to look for his shot much more to maximize his scoring ability. He is an ultra-quick ball handler and passer, that pushes the ball up the court as much as possible. He enjoys playing in an up-and-down, fast tempo-paced game, where he is very difficult to defend and slow down. Fort is also an excellent on-the-ball defender, capable of becoming a lock-down defender at the collegiate level. He also plays passing lanes effectively, and applies excellent pressure on opposing guards.
Fort is one prospect that should have an excellent junior season, once the season kicks off, and continue to receive higher college recruitment and more exposure to college programs, as things settle down and subside. I will keep a close eye on Fort as a college prospect, and continue to watch him develop as a player and prospect.
