August Virginia Commitment Report
With the July live periods over, it’s officially the beginning of what I like to call “commitment season.” With a lot of guys beginning to start their final stages of their recruitment process, some are quick to make their decisions, while some are just starting to set their visits or look into their visits.
Here’s a look at those who have already committed as of the middle of August, many of them coming during the final live periods or shortly after.
- Brandon Slater | 6’6” WF | PVI/Team Takeover: Committed to Villanova University
Slater committed to the 2016 national champions back in June, and the fit seems perfect for both Nova and the #3 ranked player in the state. The Wildcats are known for guys who are versatile and can play multiple positions, and Slater has shown that he can be a plug and play guy that can play the 2 through 4 and is capable of doing a little bit of everything. Offensively, he can shoot it from deep off the catch, can put it on the floor and finish above the rim in transition and is a capable and willing passer with good vision. Defensively he can stay in front of guards, is an athletic rim protector and can rebound well using his length. He should be a perfect fit on a team oriented group, especially since he’s been in winning programs both in high school and in AAU.
- Jaelin Llewellyn | 6’3” PG | VES/Team Loaded VA: Committed to Princeton University
We’re starting to see more and more of this, talented and high academic kids choosing the the Ivy League route knowing that getting a degree from such a well renowned school is just as important as playing in a big conference. Also, anyone who watched the first ever Ivy League Conference Tournament last year knows there’s a ton of talent at the top tier of the league, and Princeton was the best in the league last year. Llewellyn is a dynamic player on both ends of the floor, and is a high IQ guard both on and off the court. He changes pace well, is a playmaker for both himself and teammates and has a competitiveness about him as he wants to be the best in every aspect. He was huge in Loaded’s run to the Adidas Gauntlet Championship, and he’ll be an immediate impact guy for Princeton when he gets there in a year.
- Rasir Bolton | 6’2” PG | Huntington Prep/Team Loaded VA: Committed to Penn State
Llewellyn’s backcourt mate, Bolton has been all over the place in high school but he’s a great get for an up and coming program in the Nittany Lions, and he’ll likely step in and play big minutes early. He’s a smooth guard with terrific feel, deep range off the bounce and a fundamental understanding of the game that not many high school point guards have. He’s a surprising athlete, a vocal leader that puts his teammates in good positions to succeed and he can really fill it up when he needs to. He’s also an underrated athlete in transition, and his ability to step his game up against the best competition bolds well for him moving to the next level.
- Mac McClung | 6’1” PG | Gate City/Team Loaded VA: Committed to Rutgers University
Arguably the biggest stock riser of the summer, McClung came on everyone’s map when rapper Riff Raf started tweeting out mixtapes of his cousin (I still get conflicting reports whether this is true or not), and he went viral with his crazy bounce and flashy passing ability. He picked up offers midway through the summer from Rutgers and Georgetown, but the Scarlet Knights made him a priority and McClung jumped at the opportunity to play in the Big Ten. His flashy playmaking ability and highlight worthy dunks made him an internet sensation, but what people don’t understand is the competitiveness and toughness he has that will make him a player at the next level. He has a lightning quick first step, makes hustle and winning plays on both ends and provides energy with his play on both ends of the floor.
- Miles Latimer | 6’2” WG | PVI/Team Takeover: Committed to Stony Brook
Latimer saw his rise in the spring when he starred for Takeover’s Orange team, and he played so well that he was bumped up to the EYBL team where he was a spark plug off the bench for the Peach Jam runner up and The Ei8ht Champions. His steady improvement and rise in production over the past few seasons from a three-point specialist to a combo guard that can score it, make plays for others and defend bolds well for Stony Brook as they may have a guy who will continue to get better at the next level. He’s a good athlete that can make shots and play both guard positions, and with the Seawolves continuously playing multiple guards at a time it could be a good fit, much like his high school team Paul VI does.
- DeShaun Wade | 6’3” PG | Miller School/Team Felton: Committed to ECU
Wade had a great junior season at Miller School, and it continued early in the summer as he started for one of the best UAA teams on the circuit and played very efficiently. He’s a big strong guard that does well keeping his body between him and his defender, and once he’s able to get his shoulders past defenders he’s able to get in the lane and finish through contact. He’s an improving shooter, has good vision and feel and best of all, he’s very competitive and plays hard from tip to buzzer. With the early success that Richmond guard Jeremy Sheppard saw with ECU last season (All AAC Rookie Team), Wade should be a nice compliment to him and could see some early minutes if he continues to improve.
- Darius McGhee | 5’8” PG | Blue Ridge/Team Loaded NC: Committed to Liberty
McGhee was, by all accounts known, the first player in the 2018 class of Virginia to commit when he did so in the middle of the high school season last year. After transferring from North Carolina to Blue Ridge and reclassifying to the 2018 class, the dynamic scoring PG went on an unofficial visit to Liberty, picked up an offer and committed not long after. The Flames have done a great job recruiting the past couple of years, and McGhee will join a 2017 class that includes 6’5” Elijah Cuffee and 7’2” Brendan Newton, both of whom had multiple offers. Their great facilities, upward trend and fun style of play had to entice McGhee, who can really let it fly and plays much bigger than he is in transition.