Recruiting Report: Jason Edokpayi (2020)
Ever since the DMV Live event, we’ve seen dozens of prospects in the DMV area pick up offers. There were a few particular prospects that flew under the radar before then, and now, have a solid 5-10 schools who have offered scholarships to them. One of those players is Jason Edokpayi. The 6-foot-6 four man plays for Mt. St. Joe and just wrapped up his final season for New World on the Adidas Gauntlet.
I caught up with Edokpayi to talk about his productive spring/summer and a variety of other topics.
PH: So you were able to pick up eight offers from the end of June to mid-July. How was that experience?
JE: The DMV Live event was really great. It was great having a chance to play against all of those teams and for it to be during a live period was good for me. It was a perfect opportunity for me and I had been working hard to the time leading up to it.
PH: UMass-Lowell, Towson, Quinnipiac, Fairleigh Dickinson, Robert Morris, Youngstown State, Canisius and Fairfield all offered you. What did those coaches say they liked about your game?
JE: They all really seemed to like me for my motor. They also liked that I’m somewhat versatile in that I can make my own play if I’m at the top of the key. I can also score when I’m on the block, so I can score from many areas. They also all like the way I rebound and my athleticism.
PH: Last year was a pretty up and down season for you. Not in terms of production, but more of just getting consistent minutes throughout the season. There seemed to be many changes in the lineup as a whole. What have you been focusing on this spring and summer to make sure your minutes stay consistent this upcoming season?
JE: I’ve really been working on my stamina. Not only so I can stay on the court longer, but also so I can be productive the entire time. I’ve lost eight pounds this summer, but my plan is to gain it all back in muscle before the season starts. I’ve also been working on expanding my range. I want to feel more comfortable taking three’s. It’s not that I’m uncomfortable taking three’s now, but I want to become more consistent in games.
PH: You guys are going to look a lot different this season. Not because you lost a ton of players, but just because with the player that you did lose, it forces to change the team’s style of play. What are your expectations?
JE: Now that our leading scorer James Bishop (LSU) is gone, it means other guys will have opportunities to show what they can do. It allows us to show what we are capable of and prove that it wasn’t just Bishop our there last season. As a team, I think we should go to the MIAA and BCL championship. A lot of the guys who are coming back are going to have more confidence. Javonte Brown has been killing it this summer and Tyler Brelsford is doing his thing ever since he committed [to George Washington]. Personally, I just want to be able to keep and maintain my starting spot, I want to prove that I’m the best big on the roster and one of the better forwards in the MIAA.
PH: Do you plan on taking any visits and when is a timetable for when you plan on committing?
JE: I have scheduled five visits, but have chosen not to disclose which schools as of yet. I’ll be committing on October 4.
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Edokpayi is ranked as a top 100 prospect in our 2020 player rankings. To view Maryland’s full 2020 player rankings, click here!