Recruiting Update: Jalen Childs (2023 Sunset)
Jalen Childs Jalen Childs 6'3" | PG Beaverton | 2023 State OR is a student of the game. When the sleek 6-foot-4, 180-pound point guard isn’t actually playing on the court, he’s on the sidelines watching intently. That was the…
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Continue ReadingJalen Childs Jalen Childs 6'3" | PG Beaverton | 2023 State OR is a student of the game. When the sleek 6-foot-4, 180-pound point guard isn’t actually playing on the court, he’s on the sidelines watching intently. That was the case for the Sunset junior this past summer in AAU basketball, as he traveled with Seattle Rotary to the prestigious Peach Jam Tournament on the EYBL circuit – and what he learned there has helped him emerge as a leader for the Apollos so far this high school season.
“I thought it was crazy seeing all that good basketball and the players out there,” Childs said. “I think it really helped my game being able to watch how the older players played and how I could implement that into my game. Now I can use all that I’ve learned out there in my game today, things like change of pace and how going slow you can still get by your man and affect the defense. Also I worked on all my levels of scoring – the players that are the most efficient are the ones that can score at all three levels.”
The results have been clear this year. After deferring last season, Childs has stepped up especially in the scoring department. He’s averaging over 17 points per game for the Apollos and has posted six games of 20 or more points. He’s using his handle, quickness, and athleticism to get to the hole and finish – sometimes with the flush – but has also improved his jumper and is hitting threes on a more consistent basis.
“I’ve gotten a lot better and over time, I started out slow but I’m started to improve and become more of a scorer,” Childs said. “For me, I was able to do that in AAU so to be able to do it in high school as well, I love it.”
Childs holds a scholarship offer from Portland and other schools such as Montana, Boise State, Butler, and Portland State have been in contact and were spotted visiting practice in the fall. He remains wide open with his recruitment. “It’s been a little slow right now, but I’m expecting it to pick up more after the season,” Childs said. “I’m excited.”
Sunset is currently on a bit of a roll, having won three of their last four games. Childs believes the Apollos are on the upswing. “We’ve lost (games) with a lot of guys due to COVID and that sucked a lot, but now that we’re getting everyone back I think we’re going to shock the world in Metro this year,” Childs said. “I feel like we can get in the top three and we’re a playoff team for sure.”
Childs currently ranks as the #7 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2023 rankings.