Prospect Spotlight: Josh Earley (2019)
KANSAS CITY — One of the state’s top young big men, Bishop Miege 6’7 2019 Josh Earley is taking his role with one of the state’s premier teams to heart. A part of one of the region’s premier most talented front courts,…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingKANSAS CITY — One of the state’s top young big men, Bishop Miege 6’7 2019 Josh Earley is taking his role with one of the state’s premier teams to heart.
A part of one of the region’s premier most talented front courts, Earley is coming off the bench and spelling a pair of talented and skilled big men in 6’7 2017 Francesco Badocchi and 6’8 2019 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. But while many players with his talents might get frustrated with their role, Earley says he is making the most of his opportunities, both in games and in practice.
“You know I get asked a lot ‘How does it feel to sit by Jeremiah and Francesco?’ by a lot of people,” Early said. “Honestly it makes me work harder. It makes me want to earn that spot. I learn a lot while playing and battling with them in practice and that transfers over into the game.”
A strong, athletic forward, Earley is a bruising, physical player with a back to the basket game, but can also step out and make open shots.
After previously playing for KC Elite, Earley spent last summer playing for KC Run GMC 15U, a squad that earned national acclaim and finished the summer with a No. 1 ranking from some experts. He focused on improving his offensive game, as well as his ball handling and perimeter game.
Possessing a rare combination of size, athleticism and agility, Earley has the ability to cover up multiple positions at the defensive end of the court and says he spent the summer focused on improving at that end of the court as well.
Off to a 4-0 start, expectations are high Miege and Earley said winning a state championship is a big goal for the program.
“I believe that Miege can make it and win another state championship this year,” he said. We’ve got a lot of guys that are very skilled and can play well together.”
Earley said he is looking forward to a rematch against Blue Valley Northwest, a squad Bishop Miege recently defeated 63-54.
“They’re probably the best team in the EKL (Eastern Kansas League) that we will play this season,” Earley said. “They have a lot of size and athletic guards and big that can all score.”
Earley said the biggest influence on his basketball career has been his dad.
“He pushes me to be better than i was yesterday and always there to support me whenever i’m doing good or having an off day.
Earley says he enjoys watching NBA big men Anthony Davis and Karl Anthony Towns play the most.
“They’re very skill post men offensively and defensively with good footwork,” he said.
The recruiting process started off a little slow for Earley coming into his freshman year, but after a summer of playing on one of the nation’s top AAU teams, he was drawing a lot of attention.
“After (paying for KC Run GMC), I started getting looked at by a lot of colleges and getting more and more interest,” he said.
Earley said he received his first offer just before the start of the basketball season from the University of Denver and has heard from several other schools as well.