Player: Josiah Sanders
Class: 2025
Height: 6’5
Position: Point Guard
School: Colorado Prep
Offers: Tennessee, San Francisco, Wyoming, Colorado, Seatle, UC San Diego, Arizona State, Montana State, Northern Colorado
A player that many have been seeing pop up a lot more in the recruiting news, 2025 6’5 point guard Josiah Sanders has had a strong start to the summer with his play and his stock continues to rise. Sanders, from Colorado Prep, has been leading the charge for the Utah Mountain Stars, as he had a big Session Rock Hill for Under Armour. After posting averages of 26.3ppg, 8.0rpg, and 7.3apg over the weekend, more schools put him on their radar, and even earned an SEC offer.
Phenom Hoops spoke more with Sanders to learn more about his game, how well his summer has been going, more about his latest offer, and what other schools have been showing interest. Check out our in-depth conversation with a rising star in the class of 2025.
Phenom: How has everything been going this summer for you and your game? How has your development been going and what has been your focus?
Sanders: So far, this summer has been going really well. AAU has started off really well. My team has really started building good chemistry and our off-the-court chemistry shows up on the court for sure. We just got done with the first Under Armour Session and it went great. I feel like I performed well individually, doing what I needed to do in terms of not only scoring but creating for the team and making winning plays. We went to Africa right after and it was a life-changing experience that I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I got to go! I have been getting great exposure and the Under Armour Circuit has been great in helping me build my brand. The main focus for me is just getting better day by day. Staying the course and keeping the main goal is the main goal because, at the end of the day, everything will fall into place. I make sure to keep God first, stay humble, and work hard. On the court, I’m still just trying to make the right play on offense and work on my mid-range game as well as off-the-dribble shooting from deep. I knock it down at a decent rate, but I need it to be automatic. On the flip side, just making sure that I am a nightmare on defense, bringing energy and effort every time I’m on the court. The biggest thing I noticed going into this summer was my mindset though. Going into every game, workout, and practice with confidence, I find myself able to do things I never imagined I could, and it motivated me to keep working harder than ever before!
Phenom: How would you best describe your game and how you like to operate? Anyone you model your game after?
Sanders: I would describe my game as someone who is always a threat on the court. Whether I’m scoring or not, I can impact the game by just helping my teammates and doing the little things! I like to get downhill and after a while, it draws a lot of attention so having the IQ to make the right play plays a big part in my game. I like to model my game after Anthony Edwards. The way he is willing to do whatever it takes to have his team on the winning side is something I try to mimic! Basketball is primarily neck up so just making sure I can stay composed and calm while also bringing energy and being a leader is critical.
Phenom: Recruitment has been picking up. What have coaches been saying your way and who has really been strong with you so far?
Sanders: My recruitment has been going great! Picking up for sure. I think just keeping a positive mindset and good attitude always goes a long way. There are a lot of great basketball players but I just try to separate myself from other kids as much as I can by doing the little things and it seems to be getting noticed! I’ve been in contact with a lot of schools, but Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, Northwestern, Georgetown, Arizona State, and San Diego are a few of them. I’m just grateful for all the offers and opportunities and I don’t take it lightly. At the end of the day, I just have to keep the main goal the main goal.
Phenom: Thoughts on the latest offer from Tennessee and that program as well as staff?
Sanders: It’s really big. A high major program like that taking a chance on me and seeing my potential means a lot to me. I think just knowing that I’m in that conversation and that caliber of school sees me as a high-level player is crazy. I look forward to building more of a relationship with all the coaches and getting on campus for a visit as well. I’m looking to carry that momentum throughout this summer in terms of recruitment for sure!
Phenom: What schools have you visited or want to?
Sanders: Most recently I went up to Colorado. It was a great time, and the staff up there is amazing. Just seeing everything they have to help me in the long run and their resources caught my attention. I’ve been to UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, and Northern Colorado as well. Looking forward to visit a couple more campuses here in the next couple of months.
Phenom: Who else has been recruiting you that has yet to offer?
Sanders: I would say some of those mentioned before like Virginia, Georgetown, Colorado State, and Loyola-Chicago. Going into this first LIVE period I know there will be people watching so I just have to perform to the best of my ability.
Phenom: What are you hoping in a future program when you ultimately decide?
Sanders: The main thing I’m looking at is just the situation. Whatever college I choose, the environment and people that I will be around for the next four years of my life so I’m just making sure to consider all the little things. I also value the relationship with the coaches, players, and staff. Development is really a big thing for me too. On the court, making sure I am getting the work I need to and getting pushed to be better every day is crucial, but off the court too. I want to be the best man I can be because at some point basketball will end, but I want to be a great father, man, and person in the long run as well and basketball can provide tools for me to help me be better off the court so somewhere where good ethics and morals are valued.