Four-star junior wide open
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One of the toughest players in the class of 2017, four-star wing Jaylen Nowell looks like a player who would be tough to pull out of his hometown of Seattle. But, he wants to make it clear that he's open to leaving home.
A 6-foot-4 shooting guard at Seattle (Wash.) Garfield, Nowell ranks No. 41 overall in the class of 2017. He is a tough-as-nails competitor, a fine athlete and loves to attack in transition. Rivals considers him one of the best wing defenders in his class, but surprisingly locals have a different view.
"What people at home have right is my mid-range," Nowell said. "Everybody talks about my mid-range because it is a lost art now. My dad, he wanted to make sure that I was the one to have that so I would practice on it almost every day so I thank God for him.
"I think people have it wrong about my defense. They say I don't play any, but I really do and I think I'm pretty good there."
Stanford, Oregon and UCLA have been in to see Nowell this Fall. So have California and nearby Washington and the Bears and Huskies have offered.
The Huskies have long done well with local players like Nowell and there is certainly reason to believe they will be strong with Nowell. His 2017 teammate Daejon Davis is committed to play for Lorenzo Romar, new assistant coach Will Conroy was a standout at Garfield before playing at Washington and so were Husky legends Brandon Roy and Tony Wroten. Seattle is also a city where players who have made it have great influence with those looking to follow in their footsteps.
Nowell is certainly interested in the Huskies, but he also wants to make it very clear that he's open to leaving home for the right fit and in particular he would love to hear from North Carolina.
"I'm really open to anything," said Nowell. "I've been a Tar Heels fan since I was a little kid. They are really far but I would love to hear from them, or anywhere. I just want to make sure I find a place that's right for me.
"I'm more open than people think. There are so many people that are trying to peer pressure me into doing something but I don't care what other people think about me or what I should do and I'll never be the type to crack under peer pressure. I'm going to make the best decision for me and if they don't like it, that's on them."
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