BY ZACH SMART
Since he was a freshman playing meaningful minutes at Archbishop Molloy HS (NY), Class of 2026 Veritas Prep (CA) guard Josh Powell has savored a wired to score mentality.
Powell, who led a CHSAA “AA” then teeming with Division-I talent in scoring, averaging 21.4 PPG as a sophomore, spent the past season gauging his grit against upper crust national foes at Skyline Prep (AZ).
As was evident in multiple performances the last two seasons, Powell triggers crucial game-altering spurts when he knocks down consecutive shots and develops the hot hand.
The 6-foot-5 NYC native’s knack for eruptive onslaughts materialized again this summer.
Playing for the New York Jayhawks, the four star scored 24 points, grabbed five boards and doled out five assists against Rens United.
“I was getting to my spots, getting to my mid range, hitting shots and defending at a high level,” Powell recalls
.”The summer was a result of being in the gym, improving my ball handling, and working on being more explosive and getting downhill. My coach (Jay David) put in plays where I can excel and get to my spots, so it made my job way easier.”
There’s nothing easy, however, about the job and daunting tasks ahead for Powell.
He will be keyed on as a high volume focal point at Veritas, which entertains one of the nation’s most unforgiving schedules in the prestigious Nike EYBL Scholastic League.
Powell has a diverse, wide ranging list of Division-I programs from all across the country in active pursuit of him.
.Oklahoma State, Arizona State, New Mexico State, DePaul, Colorado State, Hampton, Howard, and Minnesota are the programs Powell says he hears from the most consistently. Florida A & M, now under former New York Knicks guard and Florida State Heisman Quarterback Charlie Ward, have also been involved.
He is in the process of setting up official visits to both New Mexico State and Colorado State at the end of September.
He plans on scheduling his official visit to Oklahoma State for the first week of October.
Prior to these projected visits, Powell and Veritas will head to China for a slate of games in a Nike Pre-Season event. They will play both the Shanghai Sharks and their national team.
Powell said his decision will come down to the program which he feels best suits his development, sustains a winning culture, and gives him the opportunity to author an instant impact. Those factors will weigh heavily into his choice.
Powell on New Mexico State: “I have already been to their campus and loved it. (Head) Coach (Jason) Hooten and Coach Preston (Laird) have been consistent throughout my process and emphasized to me that I will play right away as a freshman and have an instant impact.
They send me their practices and plays, really showing me where I would fit in. I think it is a good option. I’m really excited to see how they do this year.”
Arizona State: “They were one of my first visits during my junior year. I definitely want to see how they do this year. Last year, they had two very impactful freshmen in my opinion. Jayden Quaintance (now at Kentucky) and Joson Sanon (currently at St. John’s). So, just seeing how coach (Bobby) Hurley let Joson get to his spots and how he was able to get the ball in the offense really intrigued me.
He also plays his freshmen if you’re ready so getting the immediate opportunity intrigues me as well.
“Colorado State: “Coach (Tim) Shelton is my guy– he’s been recruiting me for about a year now. I feel like I would be an instant impact guy there. Coach Shelton, he tells me what I have to work on and what I’m really good at. I think with the way they play and with their system, I can excel there as well. They had a first round pick (Nique Clifford) come out of there this year, so they are producing NBA guys. Just a great program and a visit I’m excited for.”
Oklahoma State: “I would say they are recruiting me the hardest. From Coach (Steve) Lutz hitting me after every session this summer to Coach Gus (Robert Guster) and Coach (James) Miller checking on me daily.
They are telling me how excited they are about me and excited for me to come on a visit to campus. Basically, that whole staff has been involved in my recruitment. I will definitely will be following them throughout the season.”
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