Versatile Chaparral Senior Looks To Keep ‘Birds Flying

Chaparral High School has a lineage of talented basketball players. Now it appears senior Jordan Josephs is next in line. 

The 6-foot-5 forward, who averaged over 12 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds per game for the 6A state runner-up Firebirds will be not only the focal point offensively but the glue for the new-look ‘Birds.

“He’s a leader on our team, both on and off the floor,” Chaparral head coach Dan Peterson said to Sports360AZ.com. “He’s a hard worker, a dedicated student of the game. He’s going to be someone we will rely heavily on.”

One of Josephs’ greatest strengths is his versatility. He’s tall and athletic enough to not only play but defend multiple positions between the lines. He shot nearly 60 percent from the field and 31 percent from the three-point line.

He believes he’s cleaned up some of his shortcomings this off-season as he ramps up for next season.

“For sure my ball-handling,” Josephs explained to Sports360AZ.com. “Getting to the basket and finishing with contact and under pressure.”

Josephs spear-headed Chaparral’s win over high-scoring Clovis North (CA) in last week’s national Section Seven Tournament which was played at multiple venues around the Valley. 

Mid-level Division I colleges are starting to take notice of Josephs’ skill-set and quiet, yet composed and mature demeanor.

“They like his versatility, they like his athleticism,” Peterson said. “They like how he’s able to get on the glass and play above the rim. I know Navy is coming out here, NAU, Lake Forest. Several colleges are on him to basically come in and make an impact on their program.”

Seems only fitting colleges are beginning to see the same things Chap Town has witnessed over the best two years.

Something tells me the best is yet to come.