A Closer Look: Josh Sharma

Throughout the 2012-13 season, Friarbasketball.com will take a closer look at a number of key Friar targets. Our staff will continue to provide in-person reports and updates on prospects that have been previously featured. 

Prospect: Josh Sharma

Position: Center  

School: Northfield Mount Hermon

AAU Program: Mass Rivals 

Class: 2015

Overview:

One of the top 2015 center prospects in the country is 7’0 Josh Sharma from Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. A very intriguing prospect, he has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential. Sharma is definitely on PC’s “most wanted” list  and and is closely being followed by the PC coaching staff. He currently plays his AAU ball for Mass Rivals along with current PC targets Kaleb Joseph, Jalen Adams, Matt Cimino, and Jeremy Miller.

 

First Hand Impressions

I have had a chance to see Sharma play numerous times, most recently at the National Prep School Invitational at Rhode Island College in February. The thing that separates him from other center prospects his age is his athletic ability. You just don’t see 7’0 high school sophomores who get down the court so quickly and have such great jumping ability. Like most seven footers his age, Sharma needs to put on weight and muscle. There is plenty of time to do that and he has the frame to carry the extra weight.

Here is a great video from Ballas TV which highlight his skills and athletic ability.

Sharma already has all the tools as such a young age: shot blocking ability and timing, a nice outside touch, great speed for a big man, and good lateral movement for a big man. It is scary to think that he is only a sophomore and has two more full years of high school to improve.

Last Summer’s AAU Events

Last summer Sharma played on an absolutely loaded team with such high major players as Noah Vonleh, Goodluck Okonoboh, Kaleb Joseph, Jalen Adams, Jeremy Miller, and Matt Cimino. He had nice performances in such events as the Adidas Super 64 Tournament and the Elite 75 Showcase. Here is a highlight video of Josh at the Adidas Invitational courtesy of PrepHoopsTV:

What Others Are Saying:

ESPN says that Sharma “is an intriguing young talent with a ton of upside. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of his potential and may not yet understand how good he could eventually be if he commits himself to it.”

RIVALS notes that Sharma “can run the floor and is gradually improving his strength and post presence. He has a long way to go still in asserting himself on the low block, but his length, work ethic, and natural athletic ability have already made him one of the most promising young bigs in New England.”

NERR  AJ Stokes says that “we’re not sure this youngster has any idea just how good he could be at the game of basketball before it’s all said and done. He’s got a ton of athleticism and natural skill and touch that extends from the inside out.”

SCOUT has Josh ranked as the 9th best center in the class of 2015 and the 51st player overall.

The Competition:

Once again, Providence was the very first high major program to offer a top New England Prep School prospect. This is yet another example of Ed Cooley getting in early with a player and developing a relationship with him.  Other schools that have offered include Boston College, Kansas State, UMass, with interest coming from Connecticut and Maryland among many others.

Bottom Line:

The key word here is upside. He is just beginning to scratch the surface of how good he can be. Providence is in on Sharma very early. He has visited campus several times, including Late Night Madness and the PC Elite Camp.

As Sharma continues to improve many other top programs in the country will take notice. Some already have, including Duke. Because of PC’s early diligence the Friars could be in the race until the end. In a few years it would be nice to see this Mass Rivals player take over at center for another former Mass Rivals player, Carson Desrosiers.

Mixtape Time:

Here are another great mixtape courtesy of 2EZ Videos:

 

Here is an interview that Adam Finkelstein did with Josh courtesy of Cox Sports:

 

And finally here is a full-game video: Mass Rivals vs The Atlanta Celtics

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