4-star Zayden High down to 5 schools

Chandler (Ariz.) AZ Compass Prep four-star recruit Zayden High tells On3 he’s down to five schools: Michigan, Villanova, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas.

High, a 6-foot-9 class of 2023 small forward, has officially visited Villanova, North Carolina, and Michigan. Texas has hosted him on an unofficial visit.

The Texas native also received offers from LSU, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Alabama, Creighton, and others.

High ranks as the No. 55 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, the average ranking from all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also ranked as the No. 11 small forward in the class and the No. 3 prospect in the state of Arizona.

Zayden High broke down each of his final five schools in an exclusive interview with On3.

High on Michigan: “Juwan Howard and his coaching staff went out their way to take care of my family”

“The reason I put Michigan in my top five is because of the way Juwan Howard and his coaching staff went out of their way to take care of my family, my little sister, and to just make us feel at home while we were there. Their facilities were top tier and their football program is obviously top tier. They have a good thing going over there, and it’s only going up.

“Coach Juwan showed me that they have had a lot of guys like me in their offense before and what he could do to improve my game and get me to the next level. What kind of stood out to me was them going out of their way to take care of my family first.”

Villanova: “I really liked Villanova because they all had history”

“Villanova was a really good visit. Me and my dad went out there, just us two. The reason I really liked Villanova was because they all had history. They played together and cracked jokes but when they were on the court, it got real. They were really serious with their guys and they teach their guys to play off two feet which is really important in the game of basketball. Their workouts were pretty intense and their coaching staff stood out to me.”

North Carolina: “That was probably the best visit I’ve been on so far”

“This weekend I went on an official visit to UNC. Coach (Hubert) Davis and Sean May took care of us and they went out of their way to make sure my sister and family were OK. As soon as we got out there, it was just pure love. The coaching staff up there, I don’t know what it was, but it seemed like they had everything together. They knew what they were doing. There was no mishaps. They knew exactly what they wanted from their guys and they demanded it. But at the end of the day, it’s love. The players up there know what it is too. They know they have to get their stuff done. That was probably the best visit I’ve been on so far.

“You can’t question UNC. Their facilities were top tier. They just redid their whole facilities. Coach Davis is down to earth and he’s going to give it to you how it is. Coach May is the same way. They’re really good dudes. Their practices were intense. They expect 100% out of everybody, every day. They all took care of my family so it was all love.”

Arkansas: “Coach Muss and coach Gus came down and showed me the breakdown”

Arkansas is more difficult to talk about because I haven’t been on my visit. But they’ve been to see me for an in-home visit. Coach Muss and coach Gus came down and showed me the breakdown of how many guys they’ve gotten to the NBA and their offense, and how I’d fit. Kind of a Jaylin Williams role even though he’s a little bit taller and I shoot a little bit better.”

Texas: “Coach Beard has been good to me”

“Coach (Chris) Beard and coach (Bob) Donewald have been good to me ever since I went on my unofficial visit there,” High says. “Coach Beard told me that even if I don’t choose them, which obviously he wants me to, but even if I don’t, he wants me to choose the school that fits me best. He didn’t put pressure or anything. He was just explaining to me that if I need any help outside of recruiting, I could contact him and that he could help me out in that way. Coach Beard is a really good, family-type of guy. He connected with my mom really well and they had a good conversation.”

Timetable?

Zayden High says he currently does not have a timetable for a decision but does plan to visit Arkansas before it’s all said and done.

Zayden High Scouting Summary

Zayden High has a great frame, projectable. He has good length and is a good athlete. His jump shot and touch are very intriguing. He is confident in pick-and-pop situations and is getting better with the one and two dribble pull-ups. While you want to see High operate more from the mid-post and low-block, he is an active area rebounder. He cleans things up well on the defensive glass. High is a late bloomer, however, someone who has toughness and skill to build on. – On3’s Jamie Shaw, National Recruiting Analyst

6’9 F Zayden High (@Zayy34den) showed the ability to do a little bit of everything for @JL3Elite this spring/summer. Offers from Michigan, Villanova, Texas, Arkansas etc. @AZCompass_Prep pic.twitter.com/syGzLstVN1

— Primetime (@pthoops_) August 11, 2022