Josh Sewell, a 6-5, 200 pound 2G/SF from Louisville (KY) Trinity High School has emerged as one of the Miami RedHawks top recruiting targets in the class of 2010. For Sewell, the consideration appears to be mutual.
This past season, Sewell is averaged approximately 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He shot an impressive 57% from the field (“I shoot a lot of layups”), 85% from the line, and about 30% from behind the arc.
Sewell helped Trinity finish with a 22-7 record. Trinity advanced to the semifinals of their difficult Louisville regional.
Sewell is now playing AAU ball with Shining Stars (McFarland). Shining Stars advanced to the semifinals of the Hensley Run-N-Slam in Ft. Wayne, Indiana last weekend. He had originally planned to play with the Ohio Basketball Club (OBC), but was unable to do so because of transportation.
Josh Sewell describes his style of play as “in and out” and excels with his mid-range game. Sewell said, “I like to shoot over guards.” Sewell says he is more of a shooting guard than a small forward and has a scorer’s mentality. He also plays point guard for Trinity. He has been starting as a guard since his freshman year.
Sewell is still working on his athleticism and quickness. He has gotten down to 200 pounds from 210. Sewell said, “I want to be quicker and agile. I am always working on my body.” Sewell says he takes 300 shots a day after school to improve his outside range.
Sewell’s recruitment is heating up as he has improved. He said, “I tend to come through under pressure. But I have improved a lot this offseason. I have got a lot more lean and athletic and my shot is ‘pretty’.”
The schools that are recruiting Sewell include the Miami RedHawks, Ohio, Wright State, Butler, Akron, Miami Hurricanes, Middle Tennessee State, Dayton, Stanford, Penn State, Bradley, Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, and Western Kentucky. Of those, he has offers from both Miamis, WKU, Wright State, Ohio, Akron, Middle Tennessee State, Bradley, Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, and Murray State. He had an offer from Virginia Commonwealth, but VCU is no longer interested after their head coach left for Alabama.
Miami-OH and Akron are recruiting him the hardest at this point. Head coaches from Marshall and Akron have been seen at his open gyms.
Sewell’s top 5 schools at this point are Miami-OH, Miami-FL, Butler, Akron, and WKU. Dayton would be just outside the top 5 as school #6.
Sewell has already unofficially visited Akron, Miami-OH, Ohio, Dayton, Kentucky, WKU, and Xavier. However, Kentucky and Xavier are no longer recruiting Sewell. Sewell plans to visit Butler and Miami-FL in the future.
Sewell said that Miami has made him a priority and wants him to commit to the RedHawks. Previously, Sewell to RedHawk Insider that “Miami really impressed me. I have never seen a campus like that. Academics are good too. I really like the coaching staff. (Miami Assistant) Coach (Ryan) Pedon seems like a really cool guy.” He and Coach Pedon have developed a relationship over time.
Although Sewell is concerned about the distance from home, Akron is still in the mix for Sewell. He was originally being recruited by Akron assistant Jeff Boals. Boals bolted for Ohio State and now head coach Keith Dambrot is handling the recruitment personally.
Western Kentucky will get a strong look from Sewell. He said, “I know the bulk of the players because they are in-state and were overlooked by other schools. The coach is a players coach. I have a good relationship with the players.”
Previously, Sewell said Academics are his #1 priority in choosing a school. Sewell explained, “It is mainly academics. Basketball will take care of itself. The coach will decide how much to play me. Also relationship with the coaches is important.” Sewell added he will make a very careful decision. “I want to make a great decision, not just a good decision, so that I can develop on and off the court.”
Josh Sewell will wait and make a decision in July.