Prospect Spotlight: JJ Traynor (2020)
Bardstown Junior forward Jayden “JJ” Traynor may have the highest upside of any prospect in the 2020 class. At nearly 6’8 and super athletic, JJ is potentially a high major prospect but he’s looking to turn the corner this season and turn potential into production. To get ready for his possible breakout season, Traynor told me, “I’ve mostly been working on my ball handling and now I’m focusing on getting in the best shape so I can play at my best the whole game.” Heading into the year, JJ has interest from “Xavier, Western Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky and more” and is hoping to get even more college coaches coming through the gym at Bardstown as the season moves along. He already has an offer from NAIA powerhouse Georgetown College.
Bardstown head coach Boo Brewer expects a lot of his players every time they put the purple and gold of the Tigers on and hit the court. JJ told me that the team goal this season is to make it to Rupp Arena for the state tournament. For that to happen, JJ is going to have to meet his individual goal and he only has one. Traynor told me his goal this year is “to play as hard as I can every game.” JJ recently moved up into the top 5 of our 2020 class rankings. A lot of that is due to his immense potential. He told me that he does think his high ranking puts some pressure on him. “I have to live up to the hype so I can’t take it easy in any game because I don’t know who’s watching.” It is encouraging to see JJ putting so much emphasis on playing harder this season. If he can go all out, all season then Bardstown could make their way back to Rupp Arena and Traynor could see his college stock take off.