WARMINSTER, PA – September 20, 2023 – In the world of basketball, stories of meteoric rises are often reserved for the most exceptional talents. Jalil Bethea’s journey is one such tale that defies expectations and inspires admiration. As a sophomore, Bethea was a good young player. He came off the bench and provided instant offense for a strong Archbishop Wood team. One year later, he is a consensus top 10 player in the class of 2024. Let’s take a moment and put his rise in some sort of context for the uninitiated. In 2022, he was one of the top seven players on a 12-man Philadelphia Catholic League roster. In 2023, he is one of the top seven out of 550,000 HS players in the United States of America.

What Da Fuck? That’s truly incredible…

Today, Bethea committed to play college basketball for Jim Larranaga at the University of Miami. We celebrate not only the young athlete’s undeniable talent but also his commitment to “The U,” a testament to his dedication and hard work.

It’s not every day that you witness a player’s transformation from a local standout to a national sensation within the span of just one year. In 2022, Jalil Bethea was already turning heads as one of the top young performers on a good Catholic League team playing in Warminster, Pennsylvania. Fast forward to 2023, and he has solidified his position as one of the top players in the entire United States. After being hotly pursued by assistant coach DJ Irving for over a year, his commitment to the University of Miami has garnered immense attention, particularly since he had his pick of powerhouse programs, including Kansas, Villanova, Syracuse, Alabama, Temple, and many others.

Some well seasoned and astute basketball minds recognized his potential long before he entered the national spotlight. Amauro Austin, a respected figure in the world of Philadelphia basketball, saw Bethea as a top 20 prospect on a national scale before he even cracked the top 100. Likewise, former St. Joseph’s Hawk point guard Tasheed Carr identified Bethea as one of the most talented prospects in the region when he was still coming off the Wood bench.

Bethea’s game is a thing of beauty. Standing 6’4″ in shoes and possessing a solid frame, Bethea combines fluid athleticism with remarkable shooting prowess. He’s not the player who will physically dominate opponents; instead, he relies on his finesse and precision on the court. Bethea’s ability to shoot the ball is nothing short of extraordinary. Approximately half of his field goal attempts come from beyond the arc, and it’s a strategy that makes sense when you consider his status as one of the nation’s premier shooters. His shooting mechanics are a work of art—a quick, compact, and repeatable motion with an effortless release and textbook follow-through. His high release point and skill at creating separation off the dribble make him a formidable off-the-dribble shooter. Beyond just being a spot-up shooter, Bethea excels at running off screens, attacking closeouts, and punishing defenders who go under the pick and roll. With range extending to the NBA 3-point line and nearly 40% success rate from deep, he’s a shooter in a class of his own.

Bethea’s brilliance extends beyond his shooting. He’s a bright prospect with improving maturity and rock-solid fundamentals. His off-the-ball movement and willingness to make the extra pass make him a valuable asset to any team. While not a flashy shot creator, he keeps defenses honest and forces them to account for his presence on the court.

Defensively, Bethea’s competitive nature and strong frame ensure he won’t be a liability. He fights through screens and demonstrates excellent technique and fundamentals. His defensive prowess will undoubtedly translate well at the high-major level.

As Bethea transitions to the University of Miami, fans can expect a player who thrives on creating and capitalizing on good looks from beyond the arc. In the modern game where floor-spacing and 3-point shooting are at a premium, Bethea brings superstar potential with minimal risk. It’s a fairly safe bet that he’ll participate in the McDonald’s All-American game and play heavy minutes as a freshman in the ACC.

Bethea’s rise from a local standout to a national sensation is a testament to his work ethic, talent, and the guidance of John Mosco, John Huggins and the rest of the Wood staff. The University of Miami has secured a gem, and the basketball world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in Bethea’s remarkable journey.

He is the latest in an increasingly long line of cerebral and highly skilled guards to emerge from the Archbishop Wood program. The Wood staff and the Team Final EYBL program, in the span of 12 months, took a decent high school player and transformed him into one of the top 2-3 shooting guards in the nation. This year they will reap the benefits of the hard work as Bethea will be unleashed on the Catholic League one last time. The final season of the Jalil Bethea show is playing in the “Boy’s Gym” at Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster this winter. Catch that shit now, the price goes up considerably once it moves to Miami next year.