Jason Crowe Jr. is the No. 3-ranked shooting guard and the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, according to the On3 Sports Industry Ranking. Now, Crowe Jr. has been tearing it up as a part of Nike EYBL, including an electric performance against the Oakland Soldiers.
Last season, several college coaches traveled from all over to see the 6-foot-2 junior at his high school in Inglewood, California. Now, he’s getting to show his talents on more of a national scale as he is taking part in the prestigious Nike EYBL which is being followed closely by many scouts from both the college level, and maybe even NBA.
Jason Crowe Jr. Explodes For 35 Points in EYBL Thriller Against Oakland Soldiers
In a recent game against the Oakland Soldiers, Crowe Jr. carried Team Takeover to an 87-79 win. In this dominant win, Crowe Jr. exploded for a game-best 35 points, more than doing his part to bring Team Takeover this electric win.
This performance drew a lot of talk about him; however, none of which should surprise anyone. USC, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oregon, LSU, UCLA, Michigan, UCLA, and Washington have all seen Crowe Jr. first-hand and had high hopes of bringing in Crowe Jr. to their program.
This 5⭐️ battle lived up to the hype 🍿
Team Takeover took home the 87-79 W over the Oakland Soldiers 😤
-Jason Crowe Jr: 35 points
-Tyran Stokes: 27 points
-Jordan Smith Jr: 23 points
-Qayden Samuels: 21 points pic.twitter.com/wEJVOaxEJx— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) May 18, 2025
Crowe Jr. is the son of former professional basketball player Jason Crowe, who spent 13 years overseas playing for a variety of clubs. Crowe Sr.’s most successful season came in 2008, when he was crowned NZNBL champion, MVP, Most Outstanding Guard, and assist champion.
Crowe noted as a Peach Jam standout over the summer, Jason Crowe Jr. currently holds a $587,000 million On3 NIL Valuation, which ranks 30th in high school basketball.
In a big recruiting victory, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have landed a commitment from the 6-foot-2, five-star shooting guard. He is one of the most electrifying scorers in the 2026 class and has a high NIL valuation.
He picked Kentucky over the likes of the Arkansas Razorbacks and USC Trojans, sending shockwaves through the college basketball world.
Crowe Jr. has been a top priority for multiple blue-blood programs, but Pope and Kentucky ultimately won out. His elite shot-making, playmaking ability, and relentless scoring mentality make him an instant-impact player for the Wildcats.
Widely considered one of the most skilled guards in the nation, Crowe has averaged over 30 points per game in high school while displaying NBA-level footwork, handles, and deep range. His ability to create shots at all three levels has drawn comparisons to former Kentucky stars like Malik Monk and Tyrese Maxey.
Crowe Jr. was heavily recruited by both Arkansas and USC, but Kentucky’s winning culture, NBA pipeline, and NIL opportunities ultimately sealed the deal.
“Kentucky felt like home,” Crowe Jr. said. “Coach Pope and his staff showed me how I’d fit into their system, and they believe in me as a future star at the next level. I want to win at the highest level and develop myself for the NBA.”
Crowe also cited Kentucky’s historic guard development, which has produced NBA All-Stars like Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, and Jamal Murray. With Mark Pope bringing a fresh energy and modern approach to the program, Crowe is buying into the new era of Kentucky basketball.
Crowe Jr.’s commitment further solidifies Kentucky as an elite destination under Pope. He joins a strong recruiting class that will help the Wildcats compete for SEC and national championships.
His explosive scoring ability will provide Kentucky with a much-needed offensive weapon, and he could emerge as a one-and-done lottery pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
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With the NIL landscape shaping today’s recruiting battles, Kentucky’s ability to land a high-profile prospect with a $500K+ NIL valuation signals its continued dominance in securing top-tier talent.
With Crowe Jr. now on board, Kentucky is expected to remain active in the 2026 recruiting class, targeting more elite talent to complement him. His commitment also puts added pressure on Arkansas and USC to adjust their recruiting strategies after missing out on one of the class’s biggest prizes.
Kentucky fans should be ecstatic—Mark Pope just landed a true game-changer in Jason Crowe Jr., and the future of Wildcat basketball looks brighter than ever.
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