Buckingham drawing attention
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Richmond (Va.) Henrico shooting guard De'Monte Buckingham is having a terrific junior season. He's led his team to a 14-1 start and he's played a big role in their success by averaging 20.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
While schools around the country may be slow to take notice, the local schools certainly haven't been. Both Richmond and VCU have been regulars early on in Buckingham's recruitment.
VCU head coach Shaka Smart and assistant Mike Morrell stay in constant contact with the local product.
"I like their program a lot," said Buckingham. "The coaches really inspire me to push myself and become a great player. They always tell me life isn't all about basketball. They want me to be a success even after basketball."
The three-star prospect likes the approach Smart has taken with him in the recruiting process.
"Coach Smart, he's just so down to earth. He keeps it real with me."
Buckingham also seems high on what the Richmond Spiders have been pitching to him thus far.
"I like Coach [Chris] Mooney a lot and Coach [Jamal] Brunt too," Buckingham said. "I talk to Coach Brunt the most since he's my recruiter. He's come to a lot of my games and calls me a lot."
The Rivals150 prospect views Richmond as a college that could benefit him academically.
"I like their program a lot," Buckingham said. "It's so settled around there and I feel like I can learn more. I feel like you can focus on academics easily there because of the way things are set up."
Don't ask Buckingham to tip his hand on which way he's leaning between the two schools, however. He's not saying.
"They are pretty even right now," he said. "I'm not ready to say which one I like more."
Like most recruits, he's going to play out his last season of travel ball before making a decision.
"Right now, I'm leaning towards committing before my senior year starts, maybe towards the end of AAU," Buckingham said. "I'll take visits and figure everything out. I'm just looking for the best fit for me."
Dan McDonald is a basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com and Inside the Gators. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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