Junior Arrey Commits
With an entire campus relocation in progress, it is a time of change at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. Today Class of 2016 Junior Arrey decided he wanted to be a big part of the change. In fact, the senior point guard from Gahanna Lincoln High School will compete for the NAIA basketball team starting next fall.
“I just verbally committed today,” said Arrey.
Tomorrow Arrey intends to talk with Gahanna Lincoln Head Coach Tony Staib about setting a date and time for a signing ceremony. He will sign to WVU Tech (16-14, 8-8 KIAC).
Late spring has plenty of pomp to go around with Graduation, Prom, and Awards Ceremonies. Arrey’s signing will add to the already cluttered docket, but nobody will complain.
Sending an athlete to a college brings pride to a school family.
Recruitment
Arisen on the banks of the Kanawha River, WVU Tech is moving into the future…literally. Despite some resistance from the Montgomery Council, this branch of West Virginia University is already moving some undergraduates to the Beckley campus.
“The whole campus is moving from Montgomery, West Virginia and they are moving to Beckley, West Virginia,” said Arrey. “Montgomery is in the valley, and I think they wanted to get more exposure.”
As an incoming freshman Arrey will be one of the first students to attend classes exclusively in Beckley. Fall 2016 is the beginning of a new chapter for both WVU Tech and for Junior Arrey.
Where else was he considering?
“Wheeling Jesuit (DII) was interested,” said Arrey. “So was Concord (DII). Some D1’s started asking for game tapes.”
Arrey was also hearing from Tiffin University and University of Northwestern Ohio (NAIA).
“Urbana was one of them,” said Arrey. “So I had some choices. I visited all of them actually.”
The recruiting relationship sprouted from a simple Twitter follow.
“Coach (Bob) Williams followed me on Twitter,” said Arrey. “I DMed him and gave him my information. We started texting. They told me to come visit and I talked to my dad. Me and my dad visited and it just went from there.”
Compared to the other schools, Arrey’s WVU Tech visit was the most impactful.
“Man, I just fell in love honestly,” said Arrey. “The coaches were amazing and the players were amazing.”
WVU Tech had their worst season in several years, finishing 16-14.
“They were 16-14 because their leading point guard was injured,” said Arrey. “He is going to be a senior next year.”
Arrey is referring to Ra’Shaud Kincaid, a 5-foot-8 point guard who did not play a game after January 9th. Kincaid returns and Arrey will be able to learn from him and potentially share the court for stretches.
“Coach Williams said that I had a high chance of starting my freshman year,” said Arrey. “They are a traditional starting point guard, a two, three, four, five.”
Vision and unselfishness are invaluable traits for point guards. If you listen to teammates of Arrey’s, then you will quickly learn what he is capable of.
Junior Arrey Evaluation
Each high school season Arrey suited up for powerhouse Gahanna Lincoln HS. Teammate Jack Kauffman glowed in reflecting about his nearly lifelong teammate.
“Definitely, the thing that stands out the most…is the tenacity and high tempo energy he plays with,” said Kauffman. “He used to always joke with us that he never gets tired at a young age and now after his high school career…you believe it.”
Kauffman credits Junior with forcing the defense to track back nonstop. His speed and aggression created so many problems for opponents of GLHS.
“He is balls-to-the-wall every minute of the game and never stops,” said Kauffman. “I honestly believe he could play the whole game and have a positive impact.”
Last summer, competing with All-Ohio Black AAU team, Arrey played alongside Maishe Dailey (Rutgers decommit).
“Junior never seemed to make a bad pass,” said Dailey. “Whenever he made a pass to me it (was) always where it needed to be.”
Dailey counted Arrey as a willing passer. When you expect your efforts to be rewarded by a slick pass, you instinctively work harder.
“One game in Myrtle Beach I remember he wasn’t having the best game scoring,” recalled Dailey. “He had eight or nine points, and he had a fast break break with a defender on his back.”
Thinking back Dailey remembers trailing the play, as Arrey dashed towards the basket.
“A lay-up would’ve gotten him into double figures, but instead he gave me a behind-the-back pass because he knew that the pass to me was the smarter play and easier points,” said Dailey. “Any other point guard would’ve tried to score because they only care about points, but not Junior. He cares about wins.”
The selfless Arrey has begun to line up his future plans. This verbal commitment is the latest development.
Instead of basking in his achievements to date, Junior is already focused on the next step. He wants to dedicate his spring and summer to improving his game and his frame.
“New chapter now! This summer I am putting a lot of work in.”