Recruiting Report: McKinley Wright (2017)
November 4 Update McKinley Wright may be the hottest name nationally in Minnesota’s junior class right now. Gary Trent Jr was first to grab the big attention nationally, then Goanar Mar, followed by Theo John last spring, and then Trent…
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Continue ReadingNovember 4 Update
McKinley Wright may be the hottest name nationally in Minnesota’s junior class right now. Gary Trent Jr was first to grab the big attention nationally, then Goanar Mar, followed by Theo John last spring, and then Trent again pretty much all summer.
But right now it seems like college programs and college writers from around the nation are seeking out Wright who made the Rivals 150 for the 2017 class after a strong summer with Net Gain Sports.
New college programs are also getting a hold of Wright. One of those programs is Clemson who stopped by four schools in Minnesota a month ago including Champlin Park to see Wright and Theo John.
“I think they are a great school,” McKinley recently stated. “They are in the ACC. They have a great program. It's a ways from home, but distance doesn't really impact me. I like Coach Brownell a lot and his staff. They are cool and crack a lot of jokes.”
Iowa State is one of the four major conference programs to have offered McKinley and they are following Wright on a regular basis.
“I like them a lot too. Coach (Prohm) is on me hard. They call or text me probably three or four times every week. They are coming back up to see me (this week).”
McKinley had a long summer of travel for basketball and one of his stops was to see Marquette.
“They have great facilities. I like Marquette a lot,” McKinley explained. “I like Wojo and Coach (Chris) Carrawell a lot. When I went on my visit, I asked him some things I can do to be a better point guard and leader, and he gave me some tips. He was a good player and knows what he's talking about.”
Minnesota is also a regular on McKinley who is a fit for what the Gophers do. The Gophers have only one scholarship to give to the 2017 class members at the moment but that could open up at a later date so the Gophers stay in regular contact.
“It would be great to play for my hometown school and have my family and friends be at all my home games to watch me play,” Wright said.
McKinley likely won’t make his choice for another year.
“I'm thinking around next October, but anything can happen,” Wright explained. “I could sit down with my family and coaches and find a school for me before then.”
October 1 Update
It’s been a huge last several months for Champlin Park guard McKinley Wright. The junior led Net Gain 17U in scoring this off-season, has grabbed five major conference offers, entered the Rivals150, and recently took a visit to the University of Minnesota.
“It was great,” Wright said of his time on the Minnesota campus two weekends ago. “I really like how intense they are in practice and the support they show around the school, also have a good relationship with the coaches.”
Wright is one of the best ball pressuring 2017 guards in the nation and is an aggressive plus quick lead guard who fits how Richard Pitino wants to play. McKinley knows that he fits what Minnesota does.
“I really like their style of play, they're an up tempo team, like to run, and do a lot of pick and rolls so it fits me perfect.”
Wright is listed at exactly six feet tall on both his recent Champlin Park and Net Gain rosters and is listed at 164 pounds.
Last winter he put up 13.8 points per game for the 31-1 Champlin Park Rebels who made the state championship only to lose to Apple Valley (led by Gary Trent Jr and Tre Jones) in the title game.
Wright teamed with Nebraska-Omaha guard J.T. Gibson, Wisconsin-Milwaukee guard Jeremy Johnson, Northeast CC guard Marty Hill (offered by Maryland East Shore recently), and fellow Rivals 150 talent Theo John.
In other words McKinley played on an all D1 starting line-up and he was the team’s third leading scorer. Along the way Wright picked up college interest from several schools and now has offers from Illinois, Dayton, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Sam Houston State.
Those six schools aren’t the only programs watching McKinley close.
“The schools that already came are Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Dayton plus Clemson, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona State, and Miami of Ohio are the ones that I know of as of now coming in.”
Wright checked in with NHR this past weekend and added a few more visitors to the list.
“Clemson and Iowa State are coming in tomorrow and Marquette is coming in Wednesday,” said Wright.
McKinley is ranked 147th in the new Rivals 150.
September 14th Update (RJ)
Net Gain/Champlin Park guard McKinley Wright added a third scholarship offer last week, this one from Kansas State as the Wildcat staff traveled to the Twin Cities to see him work out before extending. This was Wright’s third D1 offer, second of the high major variety.
There are several schools talking to Wright at the moment. Outside of those that offered the list includes: “Marquette, Virginia Tech, Dayton, Iowa State, DePaul, Northern Iowa, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Minnesota, Drake and Miami of Ohio.”
Wright is also looking at visit the schools that have offered.
“I am trying to get down to Kansas State and Illinois right now and also Sam Houston State,” McKinley said. “I have been talking to them about when I can make it down sometime this fall.
“It is a blessing. It is a dream come true. A lot of people want to be able to play Division I basketball and I am blessed to be able to hopefully play there.”
Wright is coming off a strong year with Net Gain Sports where he teamed with fellow 2017 Ishmael El-Amin and led NGS to the top spot in the Minnesota 17U rankings.
“It was a great season. We are looking to come back even stronger next year. This summer, we did pretty good. We went down to the Under Armour finals and went to the Final Four, so it was a good season. We didn't finish how we wanted, but we had fun.”
Champlin Park is coming off a second place finish in state but they lost three key seniors and a couple quality seniors off the bench. Expectations are still high with Wright and Theo John leading, several quality juniors stepping into roles, and a freshman class that may be the best in Minnesota.
“It is going to feel good to be an upperclassmen. Time is flying by. I am going to enjoy it while I can. Have another fun high school season and hopefully go back to state and be playing in the state championship again and have a better outcome.
“This year, it is a little bit more pressure, but I like pressure, so I am going to have fun with it and take on a bigger role and lead my team.”
August 5th, 2015
McKinley Wright had what has to be called a fantastic summer. He was named first team All 17U as a 2017 talent because he was the top scorer and defender on the number one ranked Grassroots team in Minnesota, Net Gain.
Wright also picked up his first high major offer as Illinois stepped forward as the first team to extend a scholarship. McKinley plans to further explore the Illinois program this fall.
“I'm looking forward learning more about Illinois when I make my visit this fall,” McKinley explained. “Illinois has a good chance with me, even though I don't know much about the program as of yet.
“I'm very glad the coaches and fans of Illinois are showing this much interest in me, it means a lot.”
There are other programs in regular contact with Wright after the summer open period ended.
“I stay in contact with Virginia Tech, Northwestern, Miami-Ohio, and Wichita State. Those are the ones I've head the most from lately.”
Wright has also heard from Nebraska, Texas Tech, Marquette, Drake, and Northern Iowa and he also mentioned he would “like to pick up an offer from the Gophers” as the Gophers have also shown interest.
June 29th Update
McKinley Wright played a massive role leading Champlin Park to a 32-1 year, their only loss coming in the Minnesota state championship game to Apple Valley. He was one of four guys averaging double figures.
Late last week Wright talked to Illinois and in a conversation with Illini head coach John Groce he received a scholarship offer.
“I talked to Coach Groce and he told me how he had seen me play and liked me,” said McKinley. “He likes my competitiveness and that I'm a winner. He said I would fit great at Illinois.
“Coach Groce and his assistants sat down and talked about it, and he offered me. “I was very honored. I wasn't expecting it to be honest, but I'm very glad. My hard work is staring to pay off.”
Wright led the Rebels in assists, steals and rebounds last year and he will join Theo John, who Illinois also offered, in leading Champlin Park into the next era.
McKinley has played the role of ball handler, defender, and scorer for Net Gain despite being a 2017 playing up. His jump shot has really come around he said.
“I really improved on my jump shot, and that's making me a better player overall,” Wright said. “Coach Groce saw that my shooter got better, and he liked the way I compete.”
McKinley has also heard from Marquette, Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Creighton, and others. He recently visited Marquette. They are all in it but Illinois is the one that offered
“I'm very interested in Illinois,” Wright said. “After Grassroots season I'm going to try to get down there and visit.”
Feb 2015 update
Champlin Park guard McKinley Wright is one of the tougher, more explosive young guards in Minnesota. At about six feet tall, Wright has shown the ability to play either guard spot effectively, and he’s giving the best team in Minnesota right now 13.9 points per game.
This weekend Wright traveled to Omaha, Nebraska along with teammate Theo John to watch Creighton play Georgetown (the Hoyas won 67-40).
“The trip was great, a very nice environment,” said Wright about Creighton. “I really liked the school more than I thought I would. It was a great experience and it can get loud in there. I enjoyed it.”
Creighton is one of several schools calling Wright at the current time.
“Nebraska, the Minnesota Gophers, North Dakota State, Drake, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, South Dakota, and Texas Tech are the schools I’m hearing from,” Wright said.
Minnesota is the hometown program and Ben Johnson has been to see Wright a couple times. Wright definitely seems to have an interest in Minnesota.
“I love the Barn!” said Wright enthusiastically. “I really like their team and how hard they work. I would have to say that’s my favorite of the schools interested in me right now.”
For now Wright is focused on the Rebels making a run at the state title. Are they ready for the stretch run?
“Of course!” Wright said. “I think we’re more than ready.”