Prospect Spotlight: Jalen Childs (2023 Sunset)
Don’t fault Jalen Childs Jalen Childs 6'3" | PG Beaverton | 2023 State OR if he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. The sleek 6-foot-3, 180-pound combo guard didn’t play as much as he hoped at Sunset…
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Continue ReadingDon’t fault Jalen Childs Jalen Childs 6'3" | PG Beaverton | 2023 State OR if he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. The sleek 6-foot-3, 180-pound combo guard didn’t play as much as he hoped at Sunset last season and he heard some of the murmurs. Childs has used that as motivation ever since this past year and now with his first Division I offer in his pocket, is out to show the talents he’s been blessed with.
“The past off-season has probably been the best thing that’s happened to me,” Childs said. “I had a hoop at my old house and from March to about August I would be outside for like 4-5 hours just working on my game. Not only that I had a ton of motivation since my coach didn’t play me, but I also had a ton of people hating on me saying I suck and shouldn’t have had some of the opportunities I was able to do. So I took that and used that to get better every day. Not only playing but studying and reading.”
When restrictions loosened up a bit, Childs got to suit up with Rotary and felt pretty good about the one tournament he was able to play with his club teammates. While he has been working out on his own, he’s put his energy into improving on a number of different things with his game.
“Focusing on keeping the ball on a string so I don’t turn it over,” Childs said. “Lots of left hand work and a ton of shooting and on ball screen work. And a ton of running and keeping my body in shape so when the season starts I could play all four quarters.”
Word about Childs and his potential has gotten around and this past week, he actually received a phone call and his first Division I offer – from brand new Portland Pilots head coach Shantay Legans.
“My reaction was excitement and joy I would say,” Childs said. “I love that the Pilots are so close to home, and Coach Legans has actually coached some of my friends in the past, and I’ve heard very good things about him. But I told myself I can’t get complacent now, I need to keep working so I can achieve my goals.”
It’s early in his recruitment but it should come as no surprise Childs is remaining open with things. But he does have an idea of what he’s looking for in a college program. “I’d say a coach who is very communicative and talks a lot to his players, a lot of motion and free offense,” Childs said. “Coaches I can trust and make sure it’s the right environment for me.”
A versatile athlete that can score at all three levels, finish above the rim, and be disciplined on defense, Childs is hoping to make a statement the rest of this club season and then into his sophomore season at Sunset under new head coach David Saultz.
“Mostly I want to use it as a time to truly have fun being back out there with my high school teammates,” Childs said. “And just go kill, got a lot of built-up anger from last season and remarks I’ve heard, so I just want to go out there and play. I think we will do pretty good this season, we have some good seniors coming back. Should finish pretty high in Metro.”
Childs currently ranks as the #14 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2023 rankings.