Recruiting Report: Jordan Pennick (2022)
When you scan the DMV area for the class of 2022 prospects you won’t find many tougher guards than Archbishop Spalding’s Jordan Pennick Jordan Pennick 6'1" | CG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD . Pennick is a 6-foot guard who is a standout on the football field, but his production from this summer has programs eyeing him for his potential on the hardwood as well.
He played with Team Choo this spring/summer as they participated in a number of different events despite their being no live evaluation periods. Even still, Pennick’s ability to score efficiently at all three levels, his willingness to routinely defend the length of the floor and overall toughness in making winning plays all contribute to his stock witnessing a major boost from his sophomore season at Spalding.
“Team Choo gives me the green light and they’re always pushing me to score a lot. I had a couple of games like that at Spalding, but this summer I got a lot of reps as being the go-to guy and it helped me get my left hand way better. Just doing things like becoming more comfortable driving and making plays with that hand. I think it’ll help me come this high school season,” Pennick told Prep Hoops in a recent interview.
There’s a lot to like about Pennick and what he brings. For one, he doesn’t need the ball to have an impact. He could solely make his presence felt as a defender if he had to. Doing things like harassing the ball-handler and being a pest in passing lanes where his cornerback skill-set comes to the forefront are all valuable aspects in themselves. Offensively he understands how to move without the ball and play off the defensive rotations to find opening either by the rim or around the perimeter.
Pennick’s jumper is fluid. He gets ample lift to make up for his somewhat lack of size and when operating off the dribble, he has a quick first step that allows him to get downhill and finish through contact with consistency. He also has great body control stopping on a dime in the mid-range for pull up jumpers. Continuing to get more comfortable as a primary ball-handler will be on his to-do list going forward.
Not many knew Pennick’s name despite Spalding’s productive season where they upset the No. 1 seed Gilman Greyhounds in the playoffs. In terms of youth potential and upside, they sit atop of the MIAA A Conference with the likes of Cameron Whitmore Cameron Whitmore 6'7" | PF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #30 Nation MD and CJ Scott CJ Scott 6'4" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 MD just to name a few. But Pennick certainly played a huge role in their success and it’s clear as a team, they share a similar mindset in terms of staying within roles to accomplish a common goal.
“There’s no sense in me going for 25 and Cam scoring 16 and we lose. It’s really about just what each game calls for, but me, Cam and CJ are cool with just scoring 15 each if it means we win. That’s what it’s all about. Winning.” Pennick said.
That statement from Pennick says something to me considering the amount of scoring he did this summer. It shows that he’s an ultimate team guy who is interested in championships, not stats.
More and more programs are starting to see these characteristics and entering into the sweepstakes. Pennick received his first offer from Chestnut Hill following his showing at Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest this past weekend. It’s his first offer in basketball or football to date.
“It meant a lot,” Pennick reflected on getting the offer. “It’s the one thing I’ve bee wanting since I’ve picked up a ball. I just want a chance.”
Pennick will get plenty of the chances that he desires to play at the next level if he sustains and continues to improve from this summer.
As we stand, the status of the 2020-21 season is unknown at this point, but it’s safe to say they’ll be a strong contender in battling for the MIAA A Conference and BCL supremacy.