Multiple Wings Commit Monday!

PICTURED: Maddux Routh Maddux Routh 6'5" | SF C.P.A. | 2024 State TN

The top unsigned recruit in the state Julius Thedford Julius Thedford 6'3" | SG Cordova | 2024 State #186 Nation TN picked Western Kentucky University (WKU). He was originally signed to Missouri State University, but MSU fired their head coach Dana Ford after their season. Thedford opened back up afterwards.

Kendrick Lloyd Kendrick Lloyd 6'2" | SG Red Bank | 2024 State TN (Red Bank) picked Pellissippi State University. Teammate Anthony Bonner Anthony Bonner 6'2" | SG Red Bank | 2024 State TN (Red Bank) did the exact same thing.

Maddux Routh Maddux Routh 6'5" | SF C.P.A. | 2024 State TN (C.P.A.) was interviewed in August after a wonderful AAU season. Today he verbally committed to The Naval Academy. The Big Interview (August 2023)

Enjoy a second interview with Maddux Routh Maddux Routh 6'5" | SF C.P.A. | 2024 State TN below. This time from the evening of April 15th, 2024.

Tell me what the last two weeks were like in your world, as it pertains to recruiting?
It kind of just...I kind of knew this was I wanted to do. I had some other schools reach out after the All-Star Game, the Private vs. Public. I won that dunk contest and footage kind of went around and I had some schools reach out to me. They kept saying, 'Who is this white boy jumping like that?'

I kind of knew what I was going to do. Sunday they facetimed me, and I committed. It has been a really big week for me. I like the opportunity. I am excited.

Who was on the Facetime?
Coach Jon Perry. He was the first guy I talked to there. And Coach Jaren Marino. And the guy that came up Saturday was Coach Lyons. It was my first time talking to him.

Did you have more than one staff recruiting you this month?
I would say, I talked to a good amount, but I got recruited really hard by some lower divisions and some good coaching staffs. I just liked my visit in December. And Jack Medalie. I talk to him. Everything about it was a yes.

That is great that you talked to a current player.
The main thing was, they have a really competitive environment. They are going to challenge me athletically and academically.

Do you have to declare a major going in?
I am going to major in Econ. The path I would go is, to go work in the Pentagon. You never know.

Did you have a sense it would drag on for awhile? Were you getting apprehensive being unsigned and uncommitted this late?
To be honest, I was not nervous because I believed everything would work out the way it was supposed to. I knew the Naval Academy would be hard (to get into) because it a top academic institution, but it all worked out.

What advice do you have for players who are still uncommitted? Are there any active steps they can take?
I would say the main thing is, pursue it if you want to go somewhere. A lot of these coaches are recruiting kids that don't want to go there. So, if you show that you want to be there it could help. As well as sending film and reaching out. Reach out. They have their information online.

How about 2025's? They are only NOW entering their 17u seasons. What helped you the most in your 17u season?
Just be confident. Don't worry about other people. You will see other people all around and wonder, 'Why am I not getting offers?' Don't worry about that.

Everyone thinks that they need to get there's in the game, but the coaches don't really care as long as you play the game the right way. Everyone wants to get 30, but coaches are watching more than who can score.

The 151st-ranked player in Tennessee, Cash Coates Cash Coates 6'2" | SG Walker Valley | 2024 State TN (Walker Valley) signed to Tusculum University today.

Why did you pick Tusculum?
I picked it because I thought it was a great fit for me to grow as an individual and better myself as a basketball player and as a person. I am excited to see how it works out.

Which coach was your main contact there?
His name is Justin Chartrand.

When did you first hear from them?
Coach Des told me that they had interest in me, so I went and toured their school and really, really liked it.

For players entering their final AAU and final high school season, what do you advise?
I would tell them to give it everything they got. And enjoy it. You only get one more year of high school. You will never get to play high school again. Those are memories you will never be able to recreate it.

Did you ever worry, if you were having a down day, seeing other guys post offers or post visits? Did it get to you, bother you, or make you think, 'Why am I not getting an offer?'
To be honest, no, I never really let that get to me. I know what I can do as a player and I trust in my ability. I know what I can do. I was just going to do the best I can do, every single day. I never let other people get to me. If I got an offer, fine, that is best case scenario.