2024 AJ Swinton talks the move back to DMV, reopening recruitment
2024 wing AJ Swinton AJ Swinton 6'6" | SF Bishop O'Connell (VA) | 2024 State #134 Nation VA has been on our radar since his freshman days at DeMatha and now after stops at Oak Hill Academy and Sierra Canyon,…
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Continue Reading2024 wing AJ Swinton AJ Swinton 6'6" | SF Bishop O'Connell (VA) | 2024 State #134 Nation VA has been on our radar since his freshman days at DeMatha and now after stops at Oak Hill Academy and Sierra Canyon, he’ll be returning to the DMV after announcing his intent to transfer to Bishop O’Connell. We caught up with the 6’5 wing at EYBL Session I while playing with Paul George Elite.
“With the passing of my grandfather my family thought it would be best to come back home,” Swinton told Prep Hoops. “Obviously there’s a lot of things that go with it when it comes to that, but we just thought it’d be best to return to the coast that we know and finish my high school career out there.”
Despite his intentions to move back East, Swinton remains a big piece for a Paul George Elite 17U squad that features some top talent in the 2024 class.
“It’s been great so far playing with these guys. You know, everyone in California just has a different grit and grind. I just appreciate all of the guys accepting me in as a guy from the East Coast. We play together. I’ve known a few of these guys throughout my time growing up, so that’s helped us gel right away.”
Swinton hit the high school scene in the DMV making his way as a dynamic wing prospect who could shoot it from three while possessing the intriguing tools and make up to be a versatile defensive piece.
“I think over time I’ve just proved that I can now bring the ball up the court and get my team into an offense. There was a few times out there today where maybe a year or two ago, I wouldn’t have been able to do that. I just want to prove to everyone that I can do more. I an play defense, I can run an offense and just overall can do more out there on the floor than before.”
Less than one week ago, Swinton decided to not only announce his move back to the DMV next fall, but also to decommit from Virginia Tech and reopen his recruitment. This comes on the heels of associate head coach Mike Jones taking the assistant coaching position at Maryland.
“I’ve heard from West Virginia and Boston College since opening my recruitment back up,” Swinton said. “There have been a few other schools, but I’m just looking to take my time and see who becomes consistent with me this spring.”
Swinton’s blend of size, ability and untapped potential should catch the attention of a fair share of programs this spring. If he can continue to prove himself as a valuable piece and his PG Elite team can make some noise throughout EYBL play, there should be no issue building back his stock.
“I need to get better at defending guards,” Swinton responded when asked an area he needs to improve on for college. “If teams go with a smaller three guard lineup, I think that’s when things can get tough for me and I need to get better at keeping those guys in front of me.”