Commitment Season

With less than ten days until the beginning of the July evaluation period for Division I college coaches, top prospects from the Buckeye State in the rising senior class (2014) are starting to get a clearer idea as to where they might end up for their college careers. In the last week alone, three rising seniors have come off the board to Division I programs, while several underclassmen are starting to get scholarship offers as well. Here’s a look at some of the latest storylines from around Ohio…..

Rosel Hurley has committed to Kent State

• Tyler Williams – ’14 PG Cincinnati Lakota West: Williams committed to Brown, out of the Ivy League, on Monday night, ending a recruitment that involved the who’s who of elite academic institutions. The sharpshooting combo guard found a campus and environment that he was comfortable with at Brown, ultimately choosing the Bears over Lehigh, Bucknell, Miami (OH) and others. Williams is a top five point guard prospect in Ohio who brings a toughness on the defensive end while also giving his teammates help as both a spot-up shooter and a penetrate and kick man on the offensive end.

• Rosel Hurley – ’14 SF Cleveland Shaker Heights: One of Ohio’s most talented wing players also came off the board, as Hurley chose to stay close to home when he committed to Kent State, out of the MAC. Hurley chose the Golden Flashes and Coach Rob Senderoff over various interest from the mid-major level, including holding scholarship offers from almost the entire MAC. With his size, at 6’5, athleticism and skill package, Hurley has all the tools to be a prolific scorer at the college level as he continues to add consistency to his game. Kent State has become a program with a reputation for recruiting high level athletes on the wing, a playing style that fits the long and agile Hurley just perfectly.

• Al Burge – ’14 SG Cleveland Garfield Heights: Burge isn’t one of Ohio’s most high profile guys, in fact the underrated guard isn’t even currently in the 2014 TDP Prospect Rankings. However, coaches from Longwood saw enough of Burge in their time evaluating to offer the fast rising prospect, and he committed over the weekend to new Coach Jayson Gee and the Lancers. Gee, who came to the Lancers after spending time as an assistant coach at Cleveland State, has great ties to Ohio, and was able to get Burge locked in before other Division I schools, and scouting services, figured out just how talented the athletic guard from Cleveland is.

• Antwon Lillard – ’15 SG Cleveland Central Catholic: While several top 2015 prospects from around the state have accumulated offers these past few weeks, we decided to include Lillard in this write-up, as the 6’5 guard has not only impressed us with his progression on the court, but also racked up a trio of scholarship offers within just a few hours. Saint Peters (N.J.), Cleveland State and Kent State have all offered a scholarship to Lillard, who plays AAU ball with TNBA out of Cleveland, and according to high school staff more offers could be on their way sooner rather than later. Lillard is a long wing with an excellent skill-set, a high level of competitiveness and a smooth release on his jumper that has college coaches really excited. Heading into his junior year, Lillard has established himself as one of the top players to watch for in Northeast Ohio and in the class of 2015.