Josh Sharkey: Unfinished Business
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A prospect profile…
By: Jordan Foote
When the college recruitment process doesn’t unfold how some prospects expect it to, it can be devastating. Going to a mid-major school may seem like settling, but to Samford point guard Josh Sharkey, he’s right where he’s supposed to be.
After putting together a terrific high school career, Sharkey didn’t receive nearly as many D-I offers as he anticipated. He received one, to be exact — Samford. “That definitely put a chip on my shoulder. I’ve always played that way and even though recruitment didn’t go how I expected, I’m very glad I ended up here,” Sharkey said. He believes he ended up in the perfect situation despite some early battles he had to overcome.
Sharkey’s first two seasons with the Bulldogs saw him play in 66 games, but start just 10. Averaging 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game over that span, he was a solid contributor in a reserve role for the team. A promotion to the starting point guard role the following year bumped his numbers up. After breaking Samford’s all-time assists and steals records, Sharkey entered his name into the 2019 NBA Draft. He later decided to return to school for one more year and it has paid off dividends.
“Those records mean a lot to me, but I knew there was more work to do,” Sharkey told me. “I spent a lot of time with my cousin (former NBA vet Jameer Nelson) over the summer putting up a ton of shots and working to improve every part of my game.” The results are showing, as Sharkey’s field goal percentage and 3-point percentage are both career-highs. The development of his shot from deep couldn’t have arrived at a better time, as it now makes him a legitimate threat from that area of the court as a senior.
I noticed several positives about Sharkey on tape. He describes himself as a pass-first point guard that loves to set up his teammates. He possesses elite court vision and he can get any pass off at any time. Cross-court passes are no issue and he can also make mid-air adjustments to teammates if they have better opportunities.
Don’t get it twisted, though: Sharkey can score the ball at will. He attacks the rim fearlessly and absorbs contact extremely well for someone his size. That also plays a factor in his scrappy, hard-nosed nature on the defensive end. Sharkey is a menace on D, constantly putting pressure on opposing guards and jumping in the way of passing lanes.
There’s one thing Sharkey knows he needs to fix as he prepares to take his game to the next level. “I need to take better care of the ball. In the NBA, and even overseas, teams want a point guard that won’t commit turnovers.” He also mentioned looking for easier passes instead of trying to make the most difficult ones routinely.
Sports Talk 2319 founder and NBA Draft specialist Rashad Phillips compares Sharkey’s game to NBA PG Yogi Ferrell. “Sharkey plays with a toughness that you must have to play at the highest level.” Phillips said. “His incredible speed, defensive anticipation and leadership are what I love most about Josh’s game.”
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“I’ve always been one of the smaller players on the court, but I think you’re seeing more and more in college & the NBA that the little guys can do well,” Sharkey explained. “Especially with my 3-ball improving, I think my style of play would fit well into today’s league. For now, though, I’m keeping my head down and focusing on winning games for Samford.”
Leaving a legacy is important to Sharkey. “I want to be remembered as a guy who played hard & was a good and successful leader,” he said. The fourth-year floor general will enter his name back into the NBA Draft at the end of the season, but not after attempting to finish his career with coach Scott Padgett on a high note.
While it’s not clear what the future holds for Josh Sharkey, it’s obvious that his skillset would make a solid addition to a professional team once he’s done at Samford. You can’t teach heart, and he’s got plenty of it. With another summer to fine-tune his already impressive game, the sky is the limit for Josh Sharkey.
Talk soon.
After putting together a terrific high school career, Sharkey didn’t receive nearly as many D-I offers as he anticipated. He received one, to be exact — Samford. “That definitely put a chip on my shoulder. I’ve always played that way and even though recruitment didn’t go how I expected, I’m very glad I ended up here,” Sharkey said. He believes he ended up in the perfect situation despite some early battles he had to overcome.
Sharkey’s first two seasons with the Bulldogs saw him play in 66 games, but start just 10. Averaging 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game over that span, he was a solid contributor in a reserve role for the team. A promotion to the starting point guard role the following year bumped his numbers up. After breaking Samford’s all-time assists and steals records, Sharkey entered his name into the 2019 NBA Draft. He later decided to return to school for one more year and it has paid off dividends.
“Those records mean a lot to me, but I knew there was more work to do,” Sharkey told me. “I spent a lot of time with my cousin (former NBA vet Jameer Nelson) over the summer putting up a ton of shots and working to improve every part of my game.” The results are showing, as Sharkey’s field goal percentage and 3-point percentage are both career-highs. The development of his shot from deep couldn’t have arrived at a better time, as it now makes him a legitimate threat from that area of the court as a senior.
I noticed several positives about Sharkey on tape. He describes himself as a pass-first point guard that loves to set up his teammates. He possesses elite court vision and he can get any pass off at any time. Cross-court passes are no issue and he can also make mid-air adjustments to teammates if they have better opportunities.
Don’t get it twisted, though: Sharkey can score the ball at will. He attacks the rim fearlessly and absorbs contact extremely well for someone his size. That also plays a factor in his scrappy, hard-nosed nature on the defensive end. Sharkey is a menace on D, constantly putting pressure on opposing guards and jumping in the way of passing lanes.
There’s one thing Sharkey knows he needs to fix as he prepares to take his game to the next level. “I need to take better care of the ball. In the NBA, and even overseas, teams want a point guard that won’t commit turnovers.” He also mentioned looking for easier passes instead of trying to make the most difficult ones routinely.
Sports Talk 2319 founder and NBA Draft specialist Rashad Phillips compares Sharkey’s game to NBA PG Yogi Ferrell. “Sharkey plays with a toughness that you must have to play at the highest level.” Phillips said. “His incredible speed, defensive anticipation and leadership are what I love most about Josh’s game.”
--
“I’ve always been one of the smaller players on the court, but I think you’re seeing more and more in college & the NBA that the little guys can do well,” Sharkey explained. “Especially with my 3-ball improving, I think my style of play would fit well into today’s league. For now, though, I’m keeping my head down and focusing on winning games for Samford.”
Leaving a legacy is important to Sharkey. “I want to be remembered as a guy who played hard & was a good and successful leader,” he said. The fourth-year floor general will enter his name back into the NBA Draft at the end of the season, but not after attempting to finish his career with coach Scott Padgett on a high note.
While it’s not clear what the future holds for Josh Sharkey, it’s obvious that his skillset would make a solid addition to a professional team once he’s done at Samford. You can’t teach heart, and he’s got plenty of it. With another summer to fine-tune his already impressive game, the sky is the limit for Josh Sharkey.
Talk soon.