Prospect Spotlight: CJ Rosser (2018)
Not every kid that plays varsity early gets put on the radar because they’re young and playing on varsity. Heritage (Lynchburg) rising senior CJ Rosser is one of those players, because he’s played with talented guys throughout his underclassmen years.
However, Rosser isn’t much of a secret anymore, after he attended many events this fall that he’s played well in and have put him on the radar, including the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo and the Dr1ven Timesland Invitational.
“The events this fall have really helped me by getting me in front of a lot of division three coaches,” Rosser said. “I had a lot of the local division three schools like Randolph and Lynchburg, but now it’s expanded to Randolph-Macon, Ferrum, Emory & Henry and others. I think I can go higher and I want to go higher but it’s helped get my name out there.”
Heading into his senior season, Rosser will be moving on the ball after playing off the ball the past two seasons. The combo guard was a knock down shooter last year, but he says he’ll be able to showcase all of his ability now that he’ll have the ball in his hands.
“My biggest strengths are my court vision and my ability to shoot off the dribble,” he said. “I’m good in the pick-and-roll situations, I know my bigs and my shooters and I get them the ball in situations for them to score it.”
Being the top returning scorer on a team that went to the state quarterfinals last season is something that he’s poised and ready for. He’s been on varsity since his freshman year, and the fact that he’s getting an opportunity to be the go-to guy is something he isn’t going to take for granted, and he’s ready to prove doubters wrong as well.
“The ball’s going to be in my hands a lot more and my team is going to be counting on me to make the right decisions more this year. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity the past three seasons, and I’m looking forward to proving that I can be the man that can lead my team. A lot of people don’t think I can do it and I’m not built for this but I’m ready and looking forward to proving them wrong.”
As for why college coaches should consider recruiting him, he has the tools both on and off the court that coaches love.
“I’m a good student, I love to work hard, I’m personable and I like to communicate and build relationships with my teammates and coaches.”
Much like last year’s breakout star Jordan Hamlette, who’s now playing meaningful minutes at NAIA Lindsey College in Kentucky, expect Rosser to put up some big numbers in some games this year and he should see his recruitment pick up late. He’s a combo who can score and distribute, and if he can lead Heritage to a postseason run there’s going to be college coaches that take notice.