Now that we’ve reached the month of July, basically every game represents the opportunity for players to be seen, evaluated, and offered by college coaches. While this notion is more applicable to seniors, several juniors and multiple sophomores will inevitably put themselves on the radars of next-level programs. Over the few months, we will take a closer look at various players who should warrant attention as scholarship-level prospects. The intent of this article series is simply to provide breakdowns of guys who coaches should know about. We will continue by looking at Jordan Buzzard of East Mecklenburg High School.
After fighting for minutes as a freshman and gaining meaningful experience as a sophomore, there should be fairly high expectations for Buzzard entering his junior year. Several guys in North Carolina’s Class of 2026 have boosted their stock over the summer, but arguably none as much as Buzzard. At 6-foot-8 with his combination of size, fluidity, and athleticism, there’s certainly a lot to like. Buzzard is already a game-changing defender with terrific instincts as a rebounder, shot-blocker, and switchable piece. For CP3 EYCL, he routinely operates as a modern version of an interior defender. While he’s probably more of a long-term forward, Buzzard has no issue anchoring the paint and outworking various types of opponents. Offensively, he finishes, spaces the floor, and is capable of attacking off the bounce. Buzzard plays above the rim and fills the lane effectively in transition. He understands how to produce as a complimentary piece but can also expand his production when necessary.
Going into the upcoming season, Buzzard will be expected to take another step forward—as he’s done each of the last two years. Given the departure of Bryson Heath, there is definitely room for increased touches and opportunities. That being said, Buzzard should already firmly be on the radars of college coaches. He has the tools, background, and overall upside to be an impactful piece for a variety of different programs.