Jordan Oakley Recruiting Update (2016)
PrepHoops.com caught up with unsigned forward Jordan Oakley (6’5″ 210) as he attacked the long, hopeful road Monday afternoon.
“I am on the road to go to University of Charleston in West Virginia,” said Oakley.
Oakley took another visit to UMBC late last month, but it was classified as a workout. This stop to Charleston could end with an offer. Both Oakley and PrepHoops.com readers should know by this time tomorrow.
As it usually does, this opportunity came about from a prior connection. Oakley spent 2015-2016 competing, training, and developing with DME Academy (Daytona Beach). He moved to Florida following a successful high school career in Maryland with La Plata High School.
Twice Oakley earned Knights Holiday Hoop Classic MVP.
Originally Oakley was a Class of 2015 player and was recruited as such. During his first recruitment Oakley developed a few coach contacts, including the coach he talks to most from University of Charleston (WV).
“His name is Coach (Brett) Rector,” said Oakley. “He was one of the coaches who talked to me last year.”
Assistant Coach Rector and the entire University of Charleston staff invited Oakley on campus for an unofficial visit.
Visiting
The UMBC visit was encouraging, but Oakley is reticent to invest too much emotional energy into the UMBC interest at this point.
“It was pretty good,” said Oakley. “It was just a workout. I don’t really know where it is going from there.”
Generally an offer sprouts shortly after the workout or visit. The Maryland Baltimore County Terriers are looking for another forward to join small forward Cole Long in the freshman class, but Oakley is not convinced he is their priority.
“Honestly I don’t even know.”
On the other hand, Charleston is a very viable option.
“They have like three scholarships available,” said Oakley. “They are talking about offering me.”
The Golden Eagles of Charleston have become creative with their recruiting by landing D1 transfers, junior college players, and internationals. Oakley would fit in well because he doesn’t demand the basketball or need shots to feel he is contributing.
The energy is always high and he makes teams better simply by playing his natural style.
“They said that they like to run,” said Oakley. “They are looking to compete. They are the new program.”
Head Coach Dwaine Osborne is coming off an outlying poor season of 16-14. Reaching 19 wins is more common than not for Coach Osborne. In fact, his first year (21-9) with UC included a Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship. He earned the Charleston job after leading University of Texas-Permian Basin for four years.
Developing
The post-grad year helped him improve an already imposing physique and actually toned up. He also developed more skills out on the wing, his preferred position.
“I mainly played the three and four,” said Oakley. “It depended on if one our bigs were there. That isn’t my position in college. I was an energy guy.”
Oakley racked up 10 ppg and 5 rpg fighting for the cause.
“He has great work ethic and Jordan is a big-time athlete,” said DME Academy Head Coach Chris Chaney. “The small forward from Maryland, DC area has really high upside.”
The Mountain East Conference is very well-coached. In fact, several programs from the Mountain East maintain national prestige among the D2 elite.
Will Jordan feel at home during his visit? Will the hosts offer?
“I will be back tomorrow night,” said Oakley.
Will his souvenirs include an offer?