J.J. Flores Recruiting Update (2018)
J.J. Flores is now a name to know. A couple of months back the Harvest Christian Academy guard visited Purdue, and while that remains his highest profile campus visit numerous other schools are in contact now. “Been talking to NIU…
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Continue ReadingJ.J. Flores is now a name to know.
A couple of months back the Harvest Christian Academy guard visited Purdue, and while that remains his highest profile campus visit numerous other schools are in contact now.
“Been talking to NIU a lot,” said Flores. “Loyola. I have been talking to them a lot. Wisconsin-Green Bay. Wisonsin-Milwaukee.”
Flores ran with the Illinois Stars AAU program last summer. Another Illinois Star, P.J. Pipes signed in November with Green Bay.
“I have always loved playing with P.J.,” said Flores. “Me and P.J. are good friends. We have played with each other over a year now. He was the reason I went to a camp (at UWGB). We went there together. I told him, you should him commit here because it is a great campus.”
Would Flores consider playing for a college program with a familiar face on the squad?
“Since that camp they noticed me as well,” said Flores. “I would love to play with P.J. And Trevian Bell. I played with him because I played with the Illinois Wolves before.”
Even though Flores does not a Green Bay offer yet, he will certainly be evaluated by their diligent coaches during the AAU season. Also, Green Bay will be hunting a large 2018 class.
The Purdue entreaty is also intriguing.
“I visited a few months ago,” said Flores. “I went to one of their practices and their coach took me to a football game. They have been in contact with Coach (Troy) Johnson.
Coach Johnson heads up the Illinois Stars. His program has placed numerous players in the college ranks recently: Brandon Hutton (Iowa, Indian Hills CC), Aaron Jordan (Illinois), Karl Harris (La Salle/ Indian Hills CC), Cole Gentry (South Dakota State / Wright State).
Loyola coaches like the way Flores plays.
“They think if I could come in with the two big guys they have coming in we could do special things,” said Flores. “Right now they are a program on the rise.”
Future visits are not lined up at this time.
“Me and Coach Troy are going to talk about that in the upcoming weeks, if not the upcoming months,” said Flores. “We are going to talk about the upcoming spring and summer.”
On the Court
Flores’ body language is electric. When he shows for the ball his posture and apparent readiness encourage passers to hit him. After he screens or slides the guard is instantly ready for the ball and intent on attacking quickly upon reception.
Moving around the floor, Flores consistently skips by shorter guards. Sure, he is not playing against D1 players every night, but the mobility hints at his capacity to create at the next level too.
Flores moves well without the basketball. For shooters this is crucially important. He routinely sets up his shot with clever floating away from his man. Playing with teammates that trust him is important, sure, but getting open and appearing ready are encouraging nonverbal cues to those teammates.
There is one particular skill Flores wants to improve.
“Really I just need to work on my consistency on my three-point shot,” said Flores. “I need to put the most time into the consistency in my three-point shot. My strengths are getting into the mid-range and getting to the bucket.”
Flores has put up some impressive game tallies this winter. For example, he pumped in 28 points with five rebounds, five assists, and five steals.
He had a quiet seven point game, but stuffed the boxscore with a dozen rebounds and seven assists.
J.J. Flores will be an exciting target for coaches in April.