High-Intensity Guard with Freshman Scoring Pedigree
J.J. Howard is a high-intensity guard for UT Rio Grande Valley who brings a proven scoring pedigree from his 2023-24 freshman season, where he averaged 10.0 points per game, and a career of over 2,000 high school points. While his 2024-25 sophomore year was limited to just three games (averaging 1.3 PPG), his 2025-26 stats show a resurgence with 9.0 PPG, 2.3 rebounds, and 41.4% shooting, highlighting his differentiator as a player who leads his team in scoring four times despite limited prior appearances. His personality is defined by relentless intensity and a 'scorer-first' mentality, making him a strong fit for teams needing a guard who can create his own shot and elevate intensity, though his injury history from the 2024-25 season warrants monitoring for durability.
