Four-star Hamilton hearing from wide range of colleges
GREENSBORO, N.C. – While many of his classmates were busy signing this past week, Rivals150 forward Jairus Hamilton has remained patient throughout the process. One of the top available frontcourt prospects this fall, Hamilton recapped his recent string of official visits as a Big East program attempts to nudge its way into the mix.
He's taken official visits to Mississippi State, Boston College and Maryland this fall, and is in no rush to make a college decision.
“I am still open to everything," he said. "I have a few schools that I am looking at. I will probably commit in late December or early January. Villanova is trying to jump into the mix and I am still hearing from a few others like Kansas, but I am just taking it all in.”
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IN HIS OWN WORDS
Boston College: “The visit was really good. I like coach (Jim) Christian a lot; he is a great guy. They got a couple of guys that can play a little bit that people are sleeping on. I think they will do well this year and get some wins in the ACC. They are just telling me that I can come in and dominate and have a big role right away.”
Maryland: “I love Maryland. The visit was really nice and I love coach (Mark) Turgeon and the rest of the coaching staff. They have great facilitates and they’re in the Big Ten. I am expecting them to do pretty well this year. I will just have to see who they have coming back the year after.”
Mississippi State: “I really like coach (Ben) Howland’s track record. He was really good at UCLA and he got a lot of guys into the pros, which is what I really like a lot. He hasn’t really had a guy like me in the past that he compares me to but he just loves how I can do everything on the floor for the rest of my team.”
Villanova: “I think coach (Jay) Wright is a really good guy and a really good coach. They just won the championship a few years ago and I think they might have guys go to the league next year like Mikal Bridges so they have a pretty good squad, so we will see how it goes.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Hamilton was a one-time priority for the top in-state programs but after taking official visits to MSU, Maryland and Boston College, it still looks as if he is willing to wait out the recruiting process a bit longer.
No other trips are currently scheduled, though Hamilton was rather optimistic about Villanova’s newfound interest in him, of which could lead to an official visit.
RIVALS’ REACTION
A 6-foot-8 forward that is best used as a small-ball power forward, Hamilton is the perfect new age big man that can playmaker some, defend different spots and rebound.
Villanova could be a program that gains some traction with the four-star forward in the coming weeks as Mississippi State, BC and Maryland each remain heavily involved entering the winter months.