Sumner’s Josh Lear commits to Utah Valley basketball
A lot of high school basketball players shy away from taking the preferred walk-on route to college, unsure if they’ll be given a fair opportunity to compete for playing time with a roster of players already on athletic scholarships.
But when Sumner High School senior Josh Lear talked with Utah Valley second-year coach Mark Madsen — a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and former Lakers assistant coach — he felt at ease. Lear recently made his verbal commitment to UVU, which competes in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
“After talking with the coaching staff, I really felt like that’s where home would be,” Lear said. “Just talking to coach Madsen, everything is earned there. I like that. I want to come in and work. If that means outworking some guys, that’s what I’ll do.”
Lear’s older brother, James, is returning from his mission with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, and will be attending BYU. The two plan to live together in an apartment in Provo.
Lear averaged 16 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Spartans in his senior season, leading Sumner to a sixth-place finish in the Class 4A state basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome, which included an opening-round win over defending state champion Gonzaga Prep. Lear hit the game-winning 3-pointer with under 20 seconds to go in the game to send the Spartans past the Bullpups.
Some players have that clutch gene, others do not. Lear has it in spades.
“It’s huge,” said Sumner coach Jake Jackson. “The internal game is more important than the external game. The confidence, belief, IQ, toughness. He has that, which gives him that it factor.”
Lear, who was named to The News Tribune’s 2020 All-Area basketball second team, is also a knockdown 3-point shooter and a strong defender.
“(Mark Madsen liked) that I was a knockdown 3-point shooter, could score off the dribble, am a high-level rebounder and decision maker,” Lear said.
Jackson said Lear, who is graduating with a 3.94 GPA, has a work ethic that sets him apart.
“I told (Madsen) you’re going to get a high-character kid who graduated high school with honors,” Jackson said. “Second, you’re getting a young man who enlarges everyone around him. He would always remind people of our culture and what we stand for. He was about it through action. … Three, you’re getting a kid who invests so much time outside of team time. … He didn’t require the coaching staff to give him structure. He dedicated an enormous amount of time to get better.”
Lear is eager to make his mark and compete for playing time, eventually hoping to earn an athletic scholarship.
“Playing (Division I basketball) has been my goal ever since I’ve been playing basketball,” LLear said. “I always knew I could play at that level.”
Lear plans to study physical therapy and eventually open a business with his brother. On the floor, Jackson has no doubt Lear will quickly become a valuable member of the team at UVU.
“He’s going to come in and let his actions speak,” Jackson said. “He’s been instilled and trained to dominate. Going from high school to college is a big jump. He has that ‘it’ factor.”
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 5:33 AM.
