5-star LR Christian standout to visit UA, LSU, and Mizzou
JJ Andrews, an ESPN 5-star junior men’s basketball recruit, has declared official visits to the University of Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana State University.
He plans to visit the colleges during football game weekends, with Missouri hosting Boston College from September 13 to 15, Arkansas hosting LSU from October 18 to 20, and LSU hosting Alabama from November 8 to 10.
Three schools have made him a priority.
“It’s really just their interest and they’ve been reaching out to me, checking in, coming to my games,” Andrews told the media. “I really feel the need to go up there and get a better basis of how the team is ran and how the coaches are and really get insight what a day looks like on campus at those colleges.”
Andrews, 6-7 and 222 pounds from Little Rock Christian, was already on the Hogs’ radar, but his success at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam and guiding Bradley Beal Elite to the 16-under title helped him get a scholarship offer from Razorbacks Coach John Calipari on July 22.
In seven Peach Jam games, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 65.8% from the field, 31.3% from three, and 76.2% from the free throw line.
Andrews scored 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, a block, and a steal as Bradley Beal defeated CP3 of North Carolina 74-67 to win the championship.
He said he communicates with Arkansas mostly through assistant head coach Chin Coleman and director of student-athlete development Ronnie Brewer Jr., but he also speaks with Calipari on occasion.
“They communicate with me a lot throughout the week,” Andrews said about Coleman and Brewer. “Either every other day, or they’ll check in after games or after school.
Just dropping in to see how school is doing, practice, and games.”
Calipari, who was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, appears legitimate, according to Andrews.
“He’s a really cool person,” Andrews explained. “I can tell he’s quite honest. He sounds as if he is really impressed with my game and the winning plays I make, so it’s a pretty wonderful experience to be able to chat with such a renowned coach.”
Tyler Wayman was hired Little Rock Christian’s coach in May following two seasons at Division II Rogers State in Oklahoma. Andrews’ stature and quickness were obvious, but Wayman was impressed by his defensive abilities as well.
“One of the things that impressed me on the defensive end is his ability to slide his feet, guard a guard, really move the perimeter, which is great for the way we’re going to play,” Wayman went on.
Wayman, who also commended Andrews’ excellent basketball IQ and desire to instruct, said college coaches admire his flexibility.
“They love the fact he can play any guard position, and when they go small, he can really switch and be aggressive,” said Wayman, a Junction City resident. “I know (what’s) going to play to his strengths is the fact he is so versatile depending on what coaches need him to do.”
ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi also ranks Andrews as the No. 5 small forward and No. 15 overall talent in the country.
“A promising prospect in the class of 2026, he understands the value of winning and makes it a priority,” according to Biancardi. “I like his athleticism, character, and all-out enthusiasm, since all three influence the outcome of a game. He races down the court to finish plays, assaults the boards, cuts into open spaces, and drives bigger defenders with the ball. It appears that tiny defenders will be posted as well. His versatility is continuously improving. He has a solid and outstanding resume at such a young age.”
Andrews stated that he appreciates the significance of his stature and the advantages it provides him.
Leave a Reply