East Coast programs pushing for Golden
RELATED: Predictions on top 2018 prospects
WEST BERLIN, N.J. – Tough, active, versatile and productive, Bryce Golden is one of the better big man prospects on the East Coast this spring. The 6-foot-8 power forward's production and motor have already become valued by numerous high-majors.
The younger brother of Grant Golden, a freshman big man at Richmond, Bryce Golden will have no shortage of college options. Pittsburgh, Penn State, Temple, Clemson and a few others have made a push in recent months, as Golden has seen his stock steadily improve.
“I just appreciate all of the schools that have reached out to me since the open period, but I am excited about who else might reach out to me this month," Golden said.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
The Team Takeover standout discussed some of his top schools.
Pittsburgh: “I like Pittsburgh a lot. Coach (Kevin) Stallings has been to a couple of my high school games. I am not going to judge him off of his first-year success. I think he is turning the program in the right direction. He is getting the right players; I think it would be a good fit for me.”
Penn State: “I like Coach (Pat) Chambers and Coach Dwayne (Anderson) a lot. Myles (Dread) has been recruiting me hard, too. Those guys are staying in contact with me. They are good people. I just really like how they run a fast-paced system and I think I could fit in there.”
Temple: “Obi Enechionyia, he went to St. James. My coach is very familiar with Coach (Fran) Dunphy. He came down to a couple of workouts and they kind of see me doing the same thing that Obi does. Being a stretch 4 kind of guy that can space the floor. I definitely see myself fitting in there.”
UCF: “It is in Florida, so I do like that. Coach Jamill (Jones), he is a Team Takeover guy; he has been staying in touch with me. That is family. I definitely fit their up-tempo style, a system that I definitely want to play in.”
Clemson: “Coach (Brad) Brownell, he really gets after it on defense. That is what I am trying to work on right now, so I could see myself doing well there and fitting in there, as well.”
WHAT'S NEXT?
A college commitment is some time off for Golden, though he does have a timetable for visits and a decision.
“I am probably going to narrow my list down sometime at the end of July or early August,” he said. “I will set up my official visits then and make my commitment in October or November.”
Golden will run on the Nike EYBL circuit this spring and summer with the Team Takeover 17-under squad.
RIVALS' REACTION
There still is some time to go before Golden narrows his school list down, so expect several other programs to nudge their way into the mix for the 6-8 junior. It does look as if his early top five have a great shot currently, though Penn State, thanks to his rapport with the staff in Happy Valley and his relationship with travel teammate Dread, might be sitting in a particularly good spot.
