Top-70 prospect Joel Patrick will be playing the upcoming high school season in the Sunshine State
Joel Patrick, A 6-foot-10 rising junior center, is on the move as he will be transferring to Montverde Academy for the upcoming season. Dushawn London of 247Sports was the first to report the news.
Patrick spent his first two years of high school playing at St. Joseph in Metuchen, New Jersey, which is located roughly 45 minutes south of New York City. He helped lead the Falcons to a 29-2 record in the 2025-2026 season, where they reached the championship game of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJISAA) Non-Public A Division before coming up short against St. Peter’s, 59-46, back on March 9th.
During his sophomore season, Patrick averaged 5.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting an astounding 98% on his 2-point field goals. During the Grassroots season, Patrick played with PSA Cardinals on the Nike EYBL Circuit, where he averaged nearly nine rebounds and three blocks per game during Session 4 last month in Las Vegas.
What Does Patrick’s Recruitment Look Like?
Patrick holds nearly a dozen offers from schools such as Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Cal-State Bakersfield, Cal-State Northridge, Florida A&M, Hampton, Iona, Louisiana, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.
Where Does Patrick Rank Nationally?
The 6-foot-10 center is the No. 62-ranked player overall, the No. 11 center, and the top-ranked player in the state of New Jersey for the Class of 2028, according to 247Sports.
Patrick Joins Loaded Montverde Academy Roster
Patrick becomes the sixth new member of Montverde Academy’s roster as he joins 6-foot-4 senior guard Maddox Davis, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Jaylen Sheppard, 6-foot-5 sophomore wing Richard Okohoh, 6-foot-7 junior wing Isaiah Hamilton, and 6-foot-9 sophomore power forward Chudier Diew Yak. The Eagles already retain key pieces, led by 6-foot-3 senior guard Oneal Delancy (Houston commit), 5-foot-8 senior guard Javion Tyndale, and 6-foot-9 junior power forward Trace Lopez.
Expectations For Montverde Academy This Season
In the second year of the Steven Turner era at Montverde Academy, the Eagles retool with their commitments from both outside the state of Florida and the United States. In the 2025-2026 season, the Eagles finished with a 23-7 record and qualified for the Chipotle Nationals, where they reached the Championship Game before falling to CIA Bella Vista, out of Arizona.
Scouting Report on Joel Patrick
Patrick operates primarily as a traditional post player with clear modern big-man potential. His game hinges on strong interior defense and opportunistic scoring around the rim. On offense, he is most effective in the pick-and-roll as a screener and rim runner, showing good hands on rolls to the basket. On the offensive end, he has a soft touch and demonstrates the ability to put the ball on the deck for one or two dribbles against smaller defenders. On the defensive end, provides verticality at the rim, contesting shots without fouling excessively, and his defensive rebounding is a real asset. He communicates coverages with his teammates and shows a willingness to step out on the perimeter for short stretches to guard switches, indicating developing versatility.
JOEL PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
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Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout for On The Radar Hoops since 2024 and has been the Owner/Founder of Southeast Hoops Report since June 2026. You can follow along with his work on X (@SEHoopsReport), Instagram (sehoopsreport), and Facebook (@sehoopsreport).