BY ZACH SMART
A shifty point guard with an adept feel for picking apart a defense with his downhill game, crafty lane navigation, and a blossoming mid range jumper, Class of 2027 point guard J’Lon Lyons is one of the top dual threat guards in the DMV area and beyond.
Having sprouted up to 6-foot-3 and making a consistent outside shot a finer point of his hardwood trade, Lyons enters his junior season at Grace Christian School (Clinton, MD) as a facilitating guard capable of spurring game-breaking scoring surges.
Growing up in the regal basketball recruiting area that is the DMV, Lyons boasted an advanced skill set even back during the embryonic stages of his development.
Now a Top-100 recruit and preparing himself for the rigors of the next level, Lyons continues to work with a steadfast, “improve daily” mentality.
He’s cognizant that in the current environment, with a steady crop of local talent firmly entrenched in the national spotlight, the mindset has to be “kill or be killed.”
Playing for New World on the 3SSB circuit this summer, Lyons thrived with his quickness, ability to swiftly change directions, and stealthily score the ball in a variety of ways.
He’s become more explosive than credited for.
Simultaneously, Lyons has become a chore for defenders with his vaunted first step.
“To be honest I would definitely describe myself as a three-level scorer, but one willing to be a pass-first creator,” Lyons said.
“I see myself bringing anything the team needs at the next level–whether that means give the ball up to the 18PPG scoring senior or be aggressive to score it myself. Whatever it takes to win.”
While the Waldorf, Md. native isn’t set on dates just yet, he intends to visit both Georgetown and Indiana later this month.
Ed Cooley and the Hoyas were among the first to offer the high octane guard.
Partly at his intrigue with the program and partly at the authentic relationship he has built with Hoosiers assistant coach Kenny Johnson, Lyons plans on visiting Indiana.
He’s earned additional offers from Villanova, Mississippi State, Syracuse, VCU, Seton Hall, Oklahoma State, Providence, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, and others.
Lyons was quick to cite VCU, Indiana, Syracuse, and Marquette as the programs currently recruiting him the hardest.
He’s heard from Alabama and New Mexico State more recently.
The rising junior assessed his thoughts on several of the programs he’s intrigued with during this stage of process:
Indiana: “I mean just the school itself and the atmosphere (is appealing). Every game is always electrifying.”
“Really, it has just been coach Kenny (Johnson) giving me feedback. Good or bad games, he keeps it all the way 100% with me. For him to do that while recruiting me and letting me know how much he loves my game is big time. Especially when you consider how some schools try to sugarcoat everything since they are recruiting you. It is the opposite with coach Kenny.”
VCU: “It’s awesome over there. They seem very genuine. They definitely have one of the best coaching staffs in the country. To be honest, I feel like I would fit perfectly with their style of play.”
“They have been recruiting me since they first got there (from Bryant). (Assistant) Coach (Chris) Cole, he first saw me when he was on staff at Bryant. I will be out there for another practice soon.”
Syracuse: “I have a great relationship with coach B (Assistant Coach Brenden Straughn). I can definitely see myself with Syracuse because they are big on guard play. They’ve produced some really big time guards.”
Villanova: “I feel like Villanova is a guard-led team which emphasizes ball screens, which is perfect for me. I’ve been speaking with Coach (David) Cox and Coach (Ricky) Harris.”
Alabama: “An opportunity to play at Alabama would be a true blessing. They’ve produced so many elite players. Similar to the atmosphere at Indiana, it just gets crazy for the home games. How would you not want to compete there?”
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