'I found myself': Fayetteville 6-9 guard 'Mr. Triple-Double' Josiah King Sanders QA

It's been a diligent and rewarding summer for a local basketball star in the Fayetteville-area.

Josiah King Sanders, the 6-foot-9 three-star point-forward for the Berean Baptist Bulldogs has had the summer of a lifetime, and there are no signs of looking back after notching his 17th collegiate offer.

Traditionally, most coaches would have a rule that Sanders would be considered at the wing position or even playing at the four or five spots simply because of his height and lengthy arms. But King is far more than just his size — his IQ and valuable skillset make him stand apart, hence the "point-forward" phrase.

Coined with the name "Mr. Triple-Double" because of his keen ability to see the floor and get his teammates involved, Sancers crashes the boards and puts the ball in the basket when his team needs him to.

And this summer, Sanders has undoubtedly proved why he's capable of playing at the point guard position.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING: NC high school football recruiting ladder: Weddington, Independence stars shine in debuts

NEW COACH AT CAPE FEAR: Cape Fear's newly hired basketball coach 'ready to be in the conversation' ahead of new season

Last season for the Bulldogs, despite going 14-19, Berean Baptist finished third in the NCISAA Sandhills conference and Sanders was awarded Co-Conference Player of the Year alongside Kenny Vera of Northwood Temple Academy, after averaging 11.3 points, three assists, seven rebounds, a steal, and nearly a block per game in 27 games.

Following his summer travel ball session with Team Loaded, The Fayetteville Observer was able to catch up with King Sanders about the star's summer progress, and what's to come in his junior season at Berean Baptist.

You'd like to be referred to as King, your middle name. How did you get that name?

Sanders: King Josiah was the youngest ruler in the Bible at eight years old. That's how I got my name. My dad believes in having a meaningful name, so that's what I start to go by because I have such a common name.

What led you to pick up a basketball and hone in on your skillset?

Sanders: Baseball and basketball were my first loves at a point in time, but when AAU came around, I realized that with my height and ability to see the floor a lot more than others. When I started traveling the world a lot more, I immediately knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What led you to leave St. Pauls after your freshman year, landing you at Berean Baptist?

Sanders: I just felt like it wasn't a fit for me. I wasn't the most comfortable with myself, and my game was being held under the limits of what I could do. We actually started talking with Coach (James) Strong while he was at Northwood Temple, but that was a tough area for us to get to. So when he took over at Berean, we knew it was the perfect time for me to leave.

How much of a motivation piece was winning the Sandhills Co-Conference Player of the Year last season for your impressive summer?

Sanders: It was just the start of everything for me. The beginning of the season was pretty rough — it was kind of hard to find myself with the team because things for us was pretty new. But once I found myself I was able to take care of business and do what I needed to do.

How would you categorize your game as a 6-9 guard and how you impact the players around you?

Sanders: I feel like I impact the game very well — with or without the ball. At the end of the day, I'm looking to set screens and do my off-ball assignments. I'm always going to make the better play and point to my teammates in the corner because that's the better play at the time. And at the same time, I make a lot of plays. I make a lot of things happen when I get downhill, passing the ball and seeing the floor, and rebounding at a high level.

How do you see the game? How are you able to be multi-dimensional on the court?

Sanders: On the defensive end, shot-blocking is really big for me. I do love to take charges, but I realize that I just need to go for a block on a shorter guard. On offense, getting rebounds, and distributing the ball is key for me there. I like to be in the position to share the ball, and get down hill, push the ball up-court.

You've picked up 17 total scholarship offers, starting with Elizabeth City State in 2023. What do these recruiters and coaches see in your game?

Sanders: They see my future potential, and they most importantly see me for what I am now. For my age, I've always been advanced in my game. Being able to see the floor so well and that I'm a guard with my height, they know that the work ethic is there and that I'm consistent. They see my leadership, my high IQ, the off-ball play and my aggressive state of mind.

How can you elevate your game to keep coaches excited to keep you at the guard position at the next level?

Sanders: Spacing the floor with my three-point shot will help a lot. I know I can shoot it, but it's just about having more confidence and open that up a little more.

You recently received a high school scholarship offer at IMG Academy. Do you plan on taking it your senior year?

Sanders: As of now, I'm keeping my options open, but I'm really looking to stay at Berean because we're building something special. I think we're looking to get those teams like them (IMG) on our schedule and compete on a national level. We're building a national team and schedule.

Who is your favorite basketball player? Who do you model your game after?

Sanders: I'd say Paul George is my favorite player and I kind of model my game after Michael Beasley.

Of all the schools that have offered you, who are you most interested in? Who are you hoping to get an offer from?

Sanders: I'm hoping to hear from NC State, Ohio State, Wake Forest, and Syracuse. Rutgers is definitely on my list for sure that has my interest the most. They're play style isn't too systematic and they can space the floor. They see the potential in me so they're going to push me and motivate me like I've never been before.

Ahead of your junior season, do you have an ideal stat line you want to have?

Sanders: 14 points, 12 assists, 13 rebounds, and two to three blocks per game.

Dating back to June 10, 2023, beginning with Elizabeth City State, Sanders has acquired 16 scholarship offers since. He holds offers from the following programs both DI and DII schools:

• Appalachian State
• California-Berkley
• Coastal Carolina
• Ole Miss
• Mississippi State
• Hampton
• College of Charleston
• East Carolina
• Radford
• George Mason
• High Point
• Norfolk State
• Rutgers
• Iowa
• Florida State
• VCU

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 'I found myself': Fayetteville 6-9 guard 'Mr. Triple-Double' Josiah King Sanders Q&A