Recruiting Report: Dylan Gaines (2017)
Dylan Gaines was cleared to play on January 25th after sitting out due to his transfer into Taylor County from Warren East, where he averaged 16.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore.
The talented small forward – PHK’s 26th-ranked 2017 – said the transfer was simply due to a family move.
“Family reasons, we don’t have any family in Bowling Green anymore,” saif Gaines.
The 6-foot-5 small forward played with Western Kentucky Elite last summer during his 16U season, but he’ll play with Team Manimal on the Adidas Gauntlet this coming offseason.
He’s already seen some considerable interest from low to mid-major Division I programs, and he could see his stock rise greatly this summer.
“Since eighth grade I’ve had interest from a lot of D2 schools, but lately I’ve been hearing from a lot of D1 schools,” said Gaines. “I’ve been receiving mail from Liberty University, Brown, Princeton, Columbia. I took an unofficial to Belmont when they played Western Kentucky, and I’ve talked to Monmouth University, they’ve stayed in steady contact with me.”
Belmont appears to be a school after him the most, and Gaines says they were pleased to see his transcripts, and his 3.8 G.P.A.
“The Belmont coach said whenever I became eligible again he’d come down and watch me, and then Samford has been showing some interest too,” said Gaines.
“I’ve always kept my grades up, and right now I have a 3.8. Belmont requested my transcripts and they were real pleased with my grades.”
The talented wing says his role as a junior with Taylor County – now that he’s finally eligible to play – is to be an effort guy, and to knock down midrange Js.
“I think my hustle and my rebounding are my strengths,” said Gaines. “And also since September I’ve been in the gym everyday. And everyday I’ve gotten up 1,000 shots, and my midrange has definitely improved tremendously.”