4-star Christian Bliss recaps Villanova visit; updates future visits, timeline
Christian Bliss is the No. 74 player in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. The 6-foot-3 guard was named non-PIAA state Player of the Year at Newtown (PA) George School after averaging 20 points and 5.2 assists this season.
“I’m a leader, a point guard, and a playmaker who finds a way to win,” Bliss told On3. “I’m really paying attention to the little things. How I play defense, leadership. All the small things. I watch a lot of basketball players in general and try to take a lot of things from different guys. I love watching high-IQ players like Jalen Brunson. The way he uses his body gets to his spots and is able to get his shots off at his height.”
The four-star guard is averaging 9.7 points with a 2.44 assist-to-turnover ratio with the PSA Cardinals program on Nike’s EYBL Circuit this summer. On3 caught up with Christian Bliss to talk about his recruitment.
Bliss talks Villanova official
“I’ve taken one official visit so far to Villanova,” Bliss said.
Villanova: “I would have to say the first day I got there, the energy they had in the gym stood out. The atmosphere of the workouts was high level. I like how they use their guards; a lot of ball screens. Defensively, they switch everything, and they all play hard. But I really like how they play in pick and rolls and let their guards make decisions.
“Coach (Dwayne) Anderson is my main recruiter. He and I have just clicked; it’s been nothing but love since he offered me. I talk to him and Coach Kyle (Neptune) regularly. They come to watch my games and practices when they can. We’ve built a great relationship.”
Bliss talks future visits
“I plan on going to Miami, Xavier, and Virginia, too,” Bliss said. “We haven’t set the dates yet.”
Miami – “The fact they win a lot, I see that. They made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament the last couple of years. They have good guards who know how to play. I think I fit with what they do on both sides of the ball. They can score and shoot it. The one through five there can play with the ball in their hands and make plays. They like that I bring versatility. Coach DJ Irving is my main recruiter.”
Xavier – “I really like the way that Sean Miller has been able to build the program in his first year. In terms of how he develops his players. His development stands out. They value the little things I do and what I bring to a team. I can score the ball, but they say they value all the other stuff I bring. Coach (David) Miller is my main recruiter, he was the first coach to believe in me, and we have just been building since. I talk with Coach (Sean) Miller too.”
Virginia – “I went on an unofficial there for the Duke game. The whole energy there was great. We would go into the shops around town; everyone in the community loved the basketball team. All around town, you could feel the love for the school. I’m great at playing within a system too. They have had success with guys who play like me. Like Ty Jerome, I can see myself paying like that. Coach Orlando (Vandross) is the main coach I talk to.”
In his words
“I want to take visits before the end of June,” Christian Bliss said. “We do not have an exact time yet, but sooner rather than later to narrow my list and commit before summer ends.
“Player development is big for me. That and my relationship with the coach; those are the two most important things. All the schools I’m looking at are winning programs, and that is important. But the connection and trust I have with the coach and the player development are huge. At the end of the day, I have a ways to go, and I want to go somewhere that will get me there.”