Prospect Spotlight: Jude Ashpole (2021 Gladstone)

<p>It’s obviously been a tough year for everyone but for [player_tooltip player_id="855940" first="Jude" last="Ashpole"], he’s tried to keep a positive mindset. The veratile 6-foot-5 forward from Gladstone has been staying positive and has been chomping at the bit to play. He’s all set to suit up with Deep III this weekend at a tournament in Phoenix, hoping to show that he’s one of the most slept-on seniors in the state.</p> <p>A hard-nosed competitor, Ashpole has tried his best since things got shut down in March last season to work hard on his craft. "All the gyms are closed so you’ve just go to do what you got to do to stay in shape," Ashpole said. "I have a park across the street so I just go there. I’ve tried to do the best that I can do. <br /> At Gladstone, Ashpole noted that he largely played at point guard in order to utilize his passing skills. Playing AAU basketball with Deep III he’s largely been asked to play in the post but it fits him as he’s been working on his all-around game.</p> <p>"I’ve been working on my mid-range a lot," Ashpole said. " I was looking at my film and knew I needed to get a mid-range game, so I’ve been working on that. But I like it down low. Either way, I can play any position."</p> <p>Watching Ashpole perform on tape and in practice, he’s a tough guy to match up. He’s got a strong build which allows him to compete outside, but the lefty also has a soft touch on his jumper out past three-point range. Previously also a standout football player, Ashpole has focused in on basketball for his route to the college level. He notes that he’s heard some from Western Oregon and Southern Oregon but overall he’s wide open.</p> <p>"I just want to go to college to play sports, it doesn’t matter if it’s Division I, Division II, NAIA," Ashpole said. "I just want to get out on the floor and continue to do what I love."</p> <p>Ashpole carries a 3.3 GPA and is hopeful a good tour with Deep III will lead to some opportunities. He’s excited about the weeks ahead. "This group is a good group of guys to hang around but when it’s game time, we’re serious," Ashpole said. "We’re ready to compete against whoever it is, no matter how good they are or how tall they are, it doesn’t matter. We’ll be there to compete and we’re going to give it our all no matter what."</p> <p>Ashpole currently ranks as the #29 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.</p>