Recruiting Report: Bryce Golden (2018)
October 28, 2015
With five offers now in tow, and three years left in his high school career, Saint James power forward Bryce Golden has established himself as one of Maryland’s elite prospects.
High Point, James Madison, Wofford, George Washington, and most recently Richmond — where Bryce’s brother Grant will be playing next season — all offered the 6-foot-8 post this past offseason. And the talented 2018 is still hearing from a bevy of larger programs that he was hearing from before; Creighton, Wake Forest, and Xavier to name a few.
“I still hear from the bigger programs, I think they’re just waiting on me this year just to see how I do, and hopefully I’ll get more contact from them after my sophomore year,” said Golden, who did hear from a couple of schools recently for the first time.
“I’ve talked to Florida a little bit this summer, and Alabama — but that’s about it (for new interest)”
With his older brother Grant recently committed to Richmond, Bryce entertained the thought of playing with his older sibling in college.
“That’s definitely always been in the back of my mind. And it’s definitely what my mom wants me to do,” said Bryce. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, and I think it would be really cool to play with him at the next level, especially because I didn’t really get to play with him a lot in high school because he got hurt last year.”
While once again spending his spring and summer playing with Virginia Elite, Bryce says improving his leadership was something he was able to work into his repertoire.
“I was kind of the leader out there, being a freshman with St. James I kind of had my place playing with the older guys, but this summer I think I was really able to take on that leadership role. And I really think I improved on my ball-handling, outside shooting a little bit, and creating my shot a little more,” said Bryce, who characterized his current playing style to PHM.
“I think I’m more of a stretch-four — a guy that can finish inside, but can still step out a little bit and hit a jumper. With VA Elite I really think I had a good opportunity to step outside and kind of throw people off a little bit.”
Golden added: “I definitely need to continue to work on my ball-handling, I feel comfortable now putting the ball on the deck, but when I can start getting some change-of-direction moves I feel like I’ll be even more of a threat.”
With his sophomore season just weeks away, Bryce is eager to ramp-up his production, and to play alongside his older brother, who is fully-recovered from last year’s ankle issue.
“I expect a lot more contribution than last year. With Grant being back I think it will be a lot easier to score, now I won’t be the only big-man out there anymore, we’ve got other guys out there too,” said Bryce.
“I’m just looking to continue and diversity my game, and just become a better basketball player everyday.”
May, 8 2015
Just a freshman, St. James’ 6-foot-8 power forward Bryce Golden is already a hot commodity in Maryland’s 2018 class.
The 6th-ranked freshman was starting by season’s end at St. James, and has already seen some Division I interest roll in.
“I’ve gotten a couple letters from schools like Creighton, Wake Forest, American, Davidson and Xavier. I haven’t talked to a lot of coaches, during open periods when they came to practices I would kind of talk with them then, but nothing too serious right now,” said Golden, who is the younger brother of PHM’s 5th-ranked 2016 Grant Golden.
Bryce said when his brother went down with a broken ankle early in the season, his role increased.
“My role kind of changed after Grant got hurt I kind of had to step up a little bit, and I had to kind of grow up. After that I got solid minutes, then I became the sixth-man on the team and I was starting by the end of the year,” Bryce said.
“I thought I was a solid rebounder for most of the season, and I was able to give guys breaks when they needed it, and I was just a solid role-player I think.”
This offseason he will be playing with Virginia Elite, and says he’d like to extend his game out towards the perimeter, and has some other goals in mind also.
“I hope to get stronger this offseason, and diversify my game, I don’t always want to be a post player, but I want to be able to handle the ball,” said Golden. “And with VA Elite I hope we get the best exposure we can this summer, try to get some scholarships and pay for college.”