JM’s Jason Rivera-Torres says choosing Vanderbilt ‘just felt right’

The arrows on Jason Rivera-Torres’ basketball map are pointing toward Nashville.

The slender 6-foot-6 John Marshall High School senior announced on April 14 that he is signing with Vanderbilt University of the powerful Southeastern Conference (SEC).

At Vandy, he will play under Commodores Coach Jerry Stackhouse, a former North Carolina and NBA standout.

“I definitely got a lot of interest from Coach Stackhouse and look forward to learning under him,” said Rivera-Torres following a ceremony at the JM gym.

“Had an amazing visit to Vanderbilt and it just felt right.”

Vanderbilt, among the nation’s elite academic institutions, went 22-15 last year and advanced to the third round of the NIT tournament. The SEC was the nation’s top-ranked conference this past season.

In helping JM to a 28-0 record this past season and another Class 2 State title, Rivera-Torres averaged 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 steals, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocked shots. He shot 38 percent from beyond the arc, 72 percent at the foul line and often was a theatrical dunker.

“Jason made coaching easy,” said Coach Ty White, who was MaxPreps.com Coach of the Year.

Rivera-Torres was named first team All-State and just recently was the MVP of the 804 All-Star game at Virginia State.

From New York City’s Bronx borough, Rivera-Torres came to Richmond last summer as part of the cast for the “Swagger” TV series.

That’s when he met with Coach White and the Justices and decided to finish high school on North Side.

In making his college decision public, Rivera-Torres thanked everyone in “his journey,” especially his mother, Brenda, who traveled from New York for the occasion.

There were cheers aplenty during the announcement, and a few tears as well. Jason was just three when his father, Roberto, died. His mother raised him and his brother on her own.

To show what kind of special young man he is, this is what

Jordan Walker’s historic 12-game hitting streak

Could he be the next Aaron Judge?

That would be the highest of compliments, but St. Louis Cardinals’ rookie left fielder Jordan Walker at least deserves some comparison.

The 20-year-old from the Atlanta suburbs began his big-league career this spring with a 12-game hitting streak that featured two homers and eight RBI.

The streak was historical. It’s the longest string of consecutive hits for a rookie by a player under 21 since Eddie Murphy in 1912 – that’s “Nineteen” 12.

Comparisons are inevitable with Judge, the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Yankee outfielder who last season set the American League home run record of 62.

Walker is 6-foot-6, 245 pounds and won’t turn 21 until May 22. He was St. Louis’ first round draft pick (21st overall) in 2020.

After a powerful season at Class AA Springfield, Mo. (19 homers, 22 stolen bases in 119 games), Walker became the youngest position player (nonpitcher) to start for St. Louis on opening day since outfielder David Green in 1981.

Originally a third baseman, Walker was moved to outfielder by the Cardinals because perennial All-Star Nolan Arenado is a fixture at third in St.