Recruiting Report: Jason Edokpayi (2020)
Jason Edokpayi, a class of 2020 forward from Mount Saint Joseph, was one of the biggest local stock risers of the summer. He continued to play well for New World this past weekend at the DC JamFest, where he earned an All-Tournament Team selection. Edokpayi discussed learning from Jalen Smith, the expansion of his recruitment, the improvement of his overall game, and much more during a recent interview with Prep Hoops.
PH: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe your overall game?
JE: “I feel like I’m a person who can do a little bit of everything. From taking jumpers at the top of the key, all around the arc, but also work inside really well. I feel like my post moves can be something that will improve the more I play. Especially my right hook. I feel like that’s always going to be there for me because I’m always working on it.”
PH: One thing that stands out about your game is how frequently you’re able to get easy buckets by simply running the floor. What inspires you to do that?
JE: “Its just something I’ve been told since I was a kid. If you run the floor, you’ll get the ball in transition. I’ve seen it grow more and more. I started off running the floor getting layups, and now I’m running the floor and getting dunks. I’m seeing that it’s working so I’m just going to keep on doing it.”
PH: Your body seems to have improved since the past high school season. What have you been doing to accomplish this?
JE: “I’ve been doing strength and conditioning 4 to 5 times per week. I go to one place almost every morning to lift, run, get some conditioning and cardio in. I’d say I’m in better shape than I was during the last high school season because I’ve been working my ass off since the end of the high school season.”
PH: What is the goal with your strength and conditioning?
JE: “I just want to keep on getting faster so I’ll be able to stay in the games longer, and be able to maintain my effort and stamina while guarding smaller players. Especially guarding quick guards. I want to be able to switch.
PH: How did playing with Jalen “Stix” Smith prepare you for your current role?
JE: “Playing with Stix is definitely something I learned a lot from. Just looking at the little things he was doing. That’s one thing I definitely focused on during practice. Knowing that I know I wasn’t going to play a whole lot, but its going to be a big learning experience my sophomore year. So I definitely took notes on the stuff he was doing throughout the whole year. Playing with Stix was definitely a lot of fun though.”
PH: What’s something that people might know about what Stix does on the court?
JE: “He’s a really good communicator. Talking to teammates. Sometimes a guard might cuss you out if you’re not living up to their standards, but Stix would be the guy to calm you down and encourage you. He’s a really good teammate, and people don’t talk about that enough.”
PH: Now that you’re a senior, how does what you learned from Stix apply to you?
JE: “I feel like now that I’m a senior I have to be a leader to the underclassmen. If they start messing up and getting down on themselves, I’ve just gotta pick them back up. Going into the season with no confidence is something you don’t want to do.”
PH: What’s your recruitment been like?
JE: “I finished live period with 8 full scholarships from Towson, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Robert Morris, UMass-Lowell, Youngstown State, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Canisius.”
PH: Where are you in the recruiting process?
JE: “Right now, I just want to take everything in. I just want to finish this weekend. After this weekend I can really start focusing on whats going on. I’ve schedule one visit, but I’m also getting interest from the University of Delaware, New Hampshire, and NJIT. They all reached out since the end of the live period.”
PH: What factors are important to you when considering schools?
JE: “I really just want to go somewhere I know that I’m going to be able to make an impact as soon as I get on the campus. A place where I know that I’m wanted. A coaching staff who can develop me into a really good player.”