KJ Hymes won’t back down from a challenge. After playing alongside 5-star 2017 recruits, Charles O’Bannon Jr. and Troy Brown Jr., Hymes was able to hold his own in the Nike EYBL, leaving scouts all across the country enamored with his versatility and ability to play with the best of them. “My main goal when I decided to play with the prospects was to get a sense of competition,” Hymes said. “ I definitely get that playing with guys like Troy Brown Jr and Charles [O’Bannon Jr.]”

 

Far before he started playing with the Prospects, Hymes was just an average kid from Phoenix, Arizona, but by the time he turned four years old, he found his niche. His father was one of his main influences in starting to play and once the college coaches began to call, he stuck by his side. “My dad shows me what to look for in a school, in having good relationships with the coaches, not just looking at the name of the jersey, and looking at more than just the glamor of the school.” said Hymes.

Although he may only be a junior in high school, Hymes has already received plenty of offers, from schools such as Virginia, Arizona State, Washington, among others. While many kids would get complacent with high-level offers, Hymes instead uses it as motivation, saying, “ I would describe it as a reason to keep getting better. If I stop, then it will stop also.”

 

In the last few years, Hymes has certainly gotten better. Standing at 6’9” and still growing, Hymes could play anywhere from the small forward position to the center position, adding to his versatility, which he considers to be his strongest attribute. His constant improvement this summer has allowed for many offers including the University of California, who Hymes has previously stated he would like to receive an offer from. However, while Hymes is certainly humbled by the offers, there is one objective that is still fresh in his mind. “One of my main goals is to be a McDonald’s All-American.” Hymes says.

Drawing comparisons to NBA stars, Anthony Davis and Paul George, Hymes seems to be fresh on his way towards becoming an All-American. “I’m kind of a mixture between the two of them  with my ability to handle the ball and shoot the ball.” he continued. “I’m able to post up and be a big impact on the game.”

 

This summer with the Prospects, Hymes was definitely a big impact in the game and it is clear that he truly cherishes his work on the EYBL circuit, saying, “I’m playing against the best high school talent in the world. It gives me the exposure that I need and I work for.”

Although he could not achieve his goal of winning a Peach Jam title, Hymes was thrust into the national spotlight and is now ranked by both ESPN and 247Sports as being a top 100 player in the 2018 class. However, the ranking doesn’t bear much importance to Hymes, as he says, “I just keep working because I know that it can change and disappear. I just stay motivated and keep going.”

If he can continue at this incredible rate of improvement, we should see Hymes, not only as an All-American but possibly an NBA draft pick one day. There is no doubt that he is not someone who you want to forget in the 2018 class as he enters his junior year of high school with St. Mary’s (AZ) High School. If one thing’s for sure, KJ Hymes is, “Working for Success”.