'24 Zion Sensley is primed for a breakout summer

Watching Napa (CA) Prolific Prep play in the Geico Nationals, it was hard not to notice Zion Sensley. The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward started for his final four team and led them in rebounding for one game and knocked down the game-winning three in the other.

HE’S ONLY 15‼️ Zion Sensley with the game winning bucket 🎯 @ZIONsensyu @ProlificPrep @PaulBiancardi pic.twitter.com/IjSBJU4rwQ

— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 31, 2022

“I am an all-around player,” Sensley told On3. “I’m a good shooter who can rebound with my height and make the extra pass. I want to win, whatever it takes to do that. The game is slowing down for me, and I’m making my reads better now. Getting stronger comes along with that. I look up to Kobe (Bryant), how he approaches the game, on the court, and off the court preparation. His footwork and ability to get space I watch too.”

Though a late bloomer, college programs have already started to take notice of the forward. On3 caught up with Zion Sensley recently to see where things are at with his recruitment.

Sensley talks recruitment

“I have offers from Portland and Hawaii right now,” Sensley said. “We hear a lot from Georgetown, UCLA, and Kansas as well. I am just a sophomore, so there is a long way to go for me, but I want to go to a school that will develop me and takes my game to the next level to help me become a pro.”

Sensley’s lineage

“A lot of my family grew up in Los Angeles, so most of my family are fans of UCLA,” Sensley said. “My dad, Julian Sensley, went to Hawaii. He played some in the NBA and had a good career playing overseas.”

On3’s take

Zion Sensley has a great frame, and he comes from good bloodlines. Sensely’s dad, Julian, was a top 50 recruit in the early 2000s and played professionally overseas for a decade. Sensley has a smooth shooting stroke from three, consistent release with good balance. He will mix it up on the boards and is a good area rebounder. Sensley is a late bloomer and still coming into his own on the floor. He is a solid athlete and is starting to attack closeouts, especially off one and two dribbles. While his offer sheet may not match, Sensely is tracking as a top 100 type talent in his class with the upside for more.