TJ Power talks growing up a fan of Duke and Virginia

Fast rising prospect TJ Power has been on a hot streak, scoring four blue-blood offers over the last few days. The 6-foot-8 forward out of Shrewsbury (Mass.) Worcester Academy has picked up scholarships from Kansas, UCLA, North Carolina, and Duke.

Power says he grew up watching two schools in particular.

“Growing up, I really liked Duke, and I really like UVA,” said Power. “Those were the teams I would watch all the time. But now, I have to make the best decision for me and I won’t be swayed by what I kind’ve idolized as a kid, even though it can be a really cool thing sometimes. I want to put myself in the right spot.”

4-star TJ Power zeroed in on 5 schools before blue blood offers

Virginia offered Power back in May, and the versatile forward returned the favor by taking an official visit to Charlottesville in June.

Power talks Virginia

“It was crazy when they offered,” he said. “Me and coach (Tony) Bennett have built one of the strongest relationships I’ve had with a coach. He’s just an awesome guy and it got even better when I got down there (on a visit.) I was super impressed. They have a beautiful campus, their player development and everything that they have in store to get better down there. They are super detailed in everything they do so that was great to see. That’s why they’re right up top with anyone else. It was cool considering I grew up watching them and for them to exceed my expectations.

“I was a fan of UVA and how they played,” Power continued. “I thought they were really disciplined and that’s how I was brought up, to play like that.  

Power talks Duke

Less than 24 hours ago, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer made a FaceTime call to Power to offer him a scholarship. How did he react?

“Coach Scheyer FaceTimed me and to even be on FaceTime with the head coach at Duke was kind of surreal to me. When he extended the offer to me, I tried to keep it cool on the camera, but when I hung up, I had a smile on my face and was hugging my parents and stuff like that. It was definitely an unreal moment for me.”

Power would watch future Blue Devils while they were still in high school.

“Growing up, I was one of these kids that would follow all of the best high school players and try to watch their games on TV or try to go to the Hoophall Classic. A lot of my favorite players to watch while they were in high school ended up going to Duke. I was always loved watching them as a fan and watching those players go off to the NBA.”

For more on how Power could envision himself at Duke, read here.

Possible college team-up?

Several top players like to discuss the option of teaming up at the next level before arrival. Power hasn’t had any of those conversations, not yet, anyway.

“No, I mean, not yet,” Power said when asked. “You know, maybe that’s coming.”

Power does have a relationship with five-star Duke freshman Kyle Filipowski.

“I have a good relationship with Kyle Filipowski at Duke. Just playing against him over the years, we have a lot of respect for each other so that hasn’t, you know, built into anything yet, but you know, maybe that will soon and maybe we will start texting or whatever.

“But I wouldn’t say there’s anyone right now that I’ve talked about playing with.”

Power Scouting Summary

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. – On3’s Jamie Shaw, National Recruiting Analyst