By JACOB POLACHECK
Class of 2024 forward Jason Asemota has improved his stock tremendously over recent weeks, earning MVP honors at the Underclassman All-American Game in Atlanta on March 27.
Ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect in the class of 2024, according to the latest ranking from On3Sports, Asemota is gearing up to take college visits.
The 6-foot-8, 190-pound small forward from Hillcrest Prep (AZ), says he will be taking unofficial visits to Duke and North Carolina after the second live period in two to three weeks.
He broke down his thoughts on each school:
North Carolina: “Winning. They love to win. As you’ve seen this year, they went to the National Championship game. I just feel like the history of UNC with all the greats that went there, it’s just a rich history. I’d love to see what it’s like when I go on campus.”
Duke: “I just want to see the change in dynamics when Jon Scheyer becomes head coach. Just being on campus and being around that type of environment, I would love to see if it’s the same or it’s different. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the same. I would love to be a part of the new writing of history. One of Jon Scheyer’s first classes, I’d love to be a part of that.”
Asemota is also looking to take a visit to Oregon, a “sometime in April”. He named Oregon as a “dream school” in February.
“At the start, I was really hearing from coach (Kevin) McKenna,” Asemota said Tuesday evening. “Now, they’re starting to really crack down. I’m starting to hear a lot from Dana Altman. He’s been at all my games. He’s been communicating with my coach. I’d love to be over there. They just want me to be on campus soon and go from there.”
Asemota is also receiving heavy interest from Baylor, UNLV and Arizona State. He broke down each program:
Baylor: “I’ve just been hearing that they want me on campus. I’ve been talking to (John) Jakus. He’s a really good dude. He wants to see me on campus soon. He really likes my game and how I can improve his program.”
UNLV: “They love me. They were at my game this past weekend. I’m probably going to be at UNLV because I’m going to Vegas in a couple of days. They’ve been on me since November. They love me as a person and I love the coaching staff. The coaching staff loves me. We really have a good connection and UNLV has a good connection with my school. There was a connection there from the jump.”
Arizona State: “They were actually the first school to offer me when I came out to Arizona. I have a great relationship with Arizona State – Jermaine Kimbrough and Bobby Hurley. We communicate a lot. They’re always at open gyms and practices because it’s right down the street. It’s like a second home to me.”
In addition to Oregon, Asemota previously mentioned Kansas as a “dream school” with assistant coach Kurtis Townsend remaining in contact with his coaches.
“They weren’t at the games (this past weekend), but they were definitely still watching from where they were,” Asemota said. They still like me a lot. They probably do want me on campus, but haven’t reached out about visits yet. Sooner or later, I’ll be on campus at Kansas.”
Despite being far from a decision, Asemota says he’s factoring in the school environment and the coaching staff.
“If the whole school loves basketball, I feel like it would be a home to me because I love basketball,” he said. “I like to win. I would love if a coach wanted to help me personally if I made a decision to either go to the league or stay. I would hope he would help me and not just what’s best for his program at the time. Also somewhere I can just call home.”
This AAU season, Asemota is playing with The Syndicate, a new team on the Nike EYBL Circuit.
“I’m playing on this team because I feel like I can control my game and control how I play,” he said. “I feel like this is the best opportunity for me.”
Asemota describes himself as a 6-foot-9 forward with wide-shoulders that can stretch the floor and shoot it.
“I most want to show off my shooting ability because that’s my calling card,” he said. “That’s my go-to. I also want to show off how I can get to the rim. I’m not just a shooter. I can really get to the rim and finish on both ends.”
Photo: @DFritzPhotos
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