By: Kevin Moses
Joseph BjegovichÂ
Twitter @josephbjegovich
Height: 6’2, 185
Class of 2024
School: Banning Lewis Prep Academy
Bjegovich is a strong and crafty athlete who loves to get out in transition and show off those jets getting easy transition baskets. Joseph has the nastiest change of pace speed I have seen this year. Joseph is a complete player who can score, rebound, and defend. He also loves getting his teammates involved with some sweet dimes elevating their game which fuels and energizes the whole team. His teammates are motivated to get to open spots and make fierce cuts because they know Joseph will find them with his awesome court vision and high IQ he uses to make game-winning plays. Pushing himself every second to be the best version of himself out there while constantly thinking about how he can help those around him.Â
Joseph has been playing on the varsity team since his freshman year with no less than honorable mention all-league every single year. 3x all conference, 2x all state & Nike Elite. This season, Joseph averaged 12.1 points shooting 33% from three and a solid 52% from the floor, 4.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Joseph’s biggest improvement was being more aggressive and attacking the rim. Improved his shooting while working on his leadership. This season helped lead his team to a 22-5 record and finished in 3rd place in this year’s state tournament. Along the way, he earned the 2024 Tri-Peaks Championship, 2024 Tri-Peaks Player of the Year, 1st Team All-League, Mile High Prep Report 1st Team All-District, and 2nd Team All-State. All this in a league where 3 teams are in the final 8 and 2 in the final 4. Â
Joseph’s favorite accomplishment was beating the previously unbeaten Vanguard School. That was the game realizing that to accomplish that Joseph knew he would have to set the tone both offensively and defensively in that game if they were going to have any chance to win and his teammates followed his lead and they got that win on their court. .That was the defining moment of the season for Joseph and his team that propelled that deep state tournament run winning their conference along the way.
What sets Joseph apart is his intense work ethic outside of practice and a growth mindset. Knowing he can get better and pushing himself to focus on doing just that every single day. He thrives at making his teammates better by setting the tone that we are better together. He never worried about his stats but will lay it all on the line doing whatever it takes to help his team get that win. Now committed exclusively to basketball Joseph has an extremely high ceiling. Joseph would consider any division level and trust God to help him make the right choice of where to call home. Finally, I assess that he reminds me of a cross between Steve Nash and Chris Paul mix of size, strength, speed, and skill. Whatever coach gets him it’s a steal and a building program changer in more ways than one.. Mark my words we will hear his name down the road.Â