TJ Power goes in-depth on Iowa, Virginia visits; Sets dates for two more officials

TJ Power is the 2023 On3 Consensus No. 68 player. This season, the 6-foot-8 forward led his Worcester (MA) Academy team to a NEPSAC AA Championship.

“I think I’m pretty well-rounded,” Power told On3. “I rebound well, see the floor well, I make tough shots. I’m here to win, and I have a high IQ. I’m a Celtics fan, so I really like Jayson Tatum and his shot-making ability. I work on his back to the basket game and stuff he can do there.”

College coaches took notice of his play and have started to prioritize him as a prospect. On3 caught up with TJ Power this weekend to talk about official visits and possibly coming out in 2022.

“I took my first official visit to Iowa in the fall, and I scheduled a visit to Virginia this week,” Power said. “Then I’ll go to Indiana June 8 and Notre Dame June 12.”

Power talks recruitment

Iowa: “I didn’t know what was out there, really. It was a pretty cool city to get there and find out the school is in Iowa City. There was a lot of stuff to do; it was a cool college city. There were a lot of young people around the city.”

Virginia: “I really like the people there. I think Coach (Tony) Bennett is a great coach, and I have had some good talks with him. The mentality they have, playing good defense is something I pride myself on. Obviously, their defense is always stellar.

“The pace doesn’t bother me; I think they move the ball well, and I don’t have a problem sharing the ball. Whatever the pace is there, I’m good with it. And they win, and I want to win, so I think it is a good fit.”

Indiana: “I think the fanbase they have there it’s a huge basketball state. Coach (Mike) Woodson is bringing in a great class, and they finished off the year pretty well last year. At Indiana, playing in the Big 10 is kind of the biggest stage you can play on, and I want to experience that.”

Notre Dame: “I grade my schools on relationships I have with the coaches, and Coach (Mike) Brey and I are pretty close. Academically it is a great school. Playing in the ACC, they move the ball and share it as well, and the coaches have a lot of confidence in their players.”

“I talk to Kansas a little bit, and they haven’t offered,” Power said. “Most of the schools I talk to have offered.”

Stay 2023, or come out in 2022?

“I’m pretty sure I will stay in the class of 2023,” Power said. “I really like Worcester (MA) Academy, playing there. I really want to go back and win again. For me to come out in 2022, it would have to be a perfect situation where a school sweeps me off my feet, and I can come in and play a bunch of minutes.”

Power’s take

“I think the places I am visiting, the facilities and everything will be top-notch. Where my choice will differentiate is the people there. The coaches and the players I interact with. Even the recruits coming in, I just want to feel comfortable with the environment I’m walking into, and the players have confidence in everyone, and they like each other. I’ll also want to go to an environment where everyone is working hard.”

On3’s take

TJ Power has a toughness about him. At 6-foot-8, that is one of the first things you notice in his game. As the game progresses, you see the full skill set. He is an excellent passer, able to initiate off the rebound or line up across multiple areas on the floor and make plays. The footspeed will be a question, but he understands angles and help-defense. We would like to see Power more aggressively look to score at times, but his ability to fill a stat sheet makes everyone on the floor better. Power is also an MLB pitching prospect.