College programs continue to search the younger ranks of players in an attempt to identify top-notch talent for the future. In the case of rising 8th grade prospect, Marvin Bagley Jr., a college program does not need to look very hard, as this young man is a glaring talent for the future. Bagley is nationally recognized by many national scouts among the very elite prospects from America’s 2018 class.
As a result of such early recognition, Bagley recently received his first scholarship offer from Northern Arizona University. This week, Bagley received another scholarship offer - his second. This offer came from a PAC-12 program, as the local Arizona State Sun Devils extended a scholarship offer to the soaring young talent.
"He just has to keep doing exactly what he's been doing; working hard and not paying attention to what's written or said about him, or media," Marvin Bagley Sr. told Arizona State's Rivals.com website. "I look at what's out there and like to let people know what's going on in Arizona, so I may talk about him on twitter or things like that. But Marvin does a good job of not paying too much attention to rankings or opinions - whether it be good or bad. That doesn't make you a great player. What you do and who you determine that."
There have been many of Arizona’s elite prospects receiving major attention at an early age throughout the years. Such past Arizona star players as Matt Carlino (BYU), Nick Johnson (University of Arizona), Jerryd Bayless (Memphis Grizzlies) and Mike Bibby (Former NBA player) are just a few names of past Arizona products that have received early national recognition for their young exploits on the AAU/club circuit.
Bagley is a unique talent that is destined for big things as he already possesses tremendous size and length at such a young age. At 6-foot-8 in height already, Bagley towers over any competition in his age group. His unique and advanced skillset which allows him to play on the perimeter and around the paint, and also his left-handed shooting prowess makes him very difficult to defend for opposing players. What is most impressive is that as a mere 7th grader, Bagley is already dunking the basketball with ease and over defenders in traffic. Bagley’s potential as a prospect is ultra-glaring. With continued hard work throughout the remainder of his high school career, this young man should become one of the great ones to play the game in the state.
Bagley recently left his former club team, Team Bibby - a program sponsored by NBA veteran guard and Arizona basketball legend Mike Bibby. Bagley is now playing for Team Power 16U Black, a loaded team of prospects that also includes terrific rising freshman guard prospect Markus Howard, also a glaring young prospect.
Still with another year of middle school remaining for himself, it will be very interesting to see which high school this young man will land at for the future.
