Rivals150 guard Jazian Gortman continues meteoric rise
Perhaps no player in the country has made a more drastic jump over the past year than 2022 Rivals150 No. 34 Jazian Gortman. The Columbia (S.C.) Keenan High point guard was unranked with only East Tennessee State and Appalachian State offers in March of last year. This summer, the 6-foot-1 Gortman has become one of the nation’s most dangerous guards with the ball in his hands.
“It has been pretty good getting out and playing this competition across the country with the Nightrydas (EYBL) this year. I am able to get a look and see where I am at every weekend, never stop getting better,” Gortman said. “I have been playing pretty well, I have been able to go out there and do what I need to do and have been able to get my team a lot of wins. At the end of the day, I have my matchups, but we all have matchups, I just want to win the games.”
Gortman has become a hot commodity among college programs, and he is about to get ready for his official visits.
“I am up to 20 offers now," he said. "I would say I am hearing the most from Wake Forest, Florida State, Illinois and Miami. Illinois hasn’t offered me yet, but (assistant coach) Chester Frazier is keeping in contact with me. I know I am going to visit Wake Forest and Florida State, and I should be trying to get down to Miami and Alabama.”
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2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2022 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2023 Rankings: Top 30
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GORTMAN ON HIS RECRUITMENT
“I grew up a fan of Clemson, (but) I am still open to all the schools and that won’t really play a factor," Gortman said. "I have to go on my visits first, that is when I will cut everything down, that is when I will know where I want to go.
"I haven’t really started studying any of the school’s play styles yet, so I don’t really know how they will play and how I fit in because I have not watched too much of any of them. I want to play in a system where they got some dogs on the defensive end, where everyone is locking their man up. On offense, I want to play in a fast-paced game and where we can get buckets. I like to play in the screen and roll.”
RIVALS' REACTION
Gortman is a wizard with the ball in his hands. His shot-making and creating abilities are second to none. He has all the tricks in his bag, with ball skills, counters, footwork and everything in between. Gortman is the ultimate competitor who leaves it all on the floor each time out, talking the entire time. Gortman is also a relentless on-the-ball defender, staying active for 94 feet for the entire game.