Recruiting Report: Jamai Felt (2021)

Colby Giacubeno November 12, 2020 @ 12:55 PM

The summer of 2020 will forever be looked at as a time that stunted the recruitment of the 2021 class due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However there were opportunities for some events o be held around the country and there were prospects who took full advantage. One of those prospects in the Baltimore area was 6-foot-8 forward Jamai Felt Jamai Felt 6'8" | C Randallstown | 2021 State MD .

Felt was virtually unknown to many (including me) before this summer despite holding two Division II offers from Bowie State and Miles. It took me all but a few minutes of watching Felt in action to realize he was a diamond in the rough. As events continued and college programs relied on live streams to recruit, word began to spread about the Randallstown standout quickly. SMU and Towson offered following Felt’s performance at Hoop Group’s Summer Jam Fest playing with Team Choo. Chestnut Hill (D2) also got involved by extending an offer.

"It was my best summer since I started playing," Felt told Prep Hoops. "Ever since I started working with Coach Choo, Coach English and Coach Scoop, I’ve seen my game get a lot better. Every game they’re just pushing me my hardest and it’s starting to pay off and I’m really appreciative of all the coaches who have offered me and seen the potential I have."

As a junior Felt was known for his shot-blocking prowess around the rim and his ability to finish strong dunks from dump-off passing or lobs. He’s polished his overall skillset and is now a threat on the block and even from three. The southpaw works extremely hard on the glass and can really get up and down the floor in transition.

"I’ve improved with my overall ball control, my post fades and my overall touch. I’ve also been focusing on how I see the floor and my IQ and I think it’s what helped me blow up this summer," Felt said.

Uncertainty still surrounds the chances of having a basketball season this winter, but Felt is still determined to improve on aspects of his game to prepare him for the next level.

"I’m just staying in the gym every day. I throw in two-a-days three days out of the week. I’ve seen how it’s paid off, so I’m just going to keep doing it."

I’ve seen Felt in action this fall playing against other stout bigs in the Baltimore area. Most recently he went head-to-head with Maryland commit Julian Reese Julian Reese 6'8" | C St. Frances | 2021 State #109 Nation MD . Felt showed many signs of what makes him special as he hit shots from outside, finished poster dunks over rotating defenders and controlled the glass for his team defensively.

There’s no timetable for Felt with a decision at this point, but it’s noteworthy that he is open to a redshirt year. I think as a redshirt freshman he’d be ready to contribute immediately and at a solid production rate.

"I like fast-paced styles," Felt said as he reflected on what he’ll look for in his next destination. "Somewhere that has a family atmosphere and somewhere that really cares for me as a player. I would definitely be open to a redshirt year and think it would help me to get bigger and better so that I will be ready to play at a high level."