Recruiting Report: Derrick Rayford (2017)
Basketball is Derrick Rayford’s passion, and he wants nothing more than to play at the next level.
The 6-foot point guard from Whitmer is still offer-less as he heads into his final offseason summer, but says he’s been hearing some from Division II schools through NCSA.
“I do still here from Ashland, they send me a lot of letter and stuff like that. I do know I have a lot of interest from a lot of D2 schools and one D1 (Pepperdine).”
Along with Ashland, Rayford mentioned Lake Erie, Washburn, and Fairmont State as other D2 schools showing interest. He mentioned University of Chicago has also been sending him letters.
“I hope my recruitment really comes together. I’m working hard and keeping my head on straight, keeping up my grades,” said Rayford. “I’m taking my ACT soon. It’s a very big thing to me, basketball is what I do, I cherish it.”
Since we last talked to the talented point guard last summer, he says he’s worked to develop certain areas of his game.
“I got better at getting to the bucket and I started making some more 3s,” said Rayford. “Also I’ve got a better IQ, I see the floor better, and I’m actually seeing things out there before I do it.”
And he’s continually working to improve his skill-set.
“I’m working on my mid-range a lot right now. Instead of going into the big guys I feel like if I learn to get close and hit that mid-range, then that would be a good addition to my game,” said Rayford.
Though he doesn’t know exactly which grassroots team he’ll play with this summer, Rayford is eager to show what kind of player he can be, with whatever team he may land with.
“I’m just looking forward to giving it my all because you don’t’ get AAU back after this is over,” he said. “So I’m just working hard and giving everything I have, and making sure I’m doing the right things.”