High-majors pursuing little known prospect
There was not a four year school that wanted unsigned senior Brandon Byars during the early signing period because of academic issues. Now that the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing player from Coosa High School in Rome, Ga., has qualified, schools from three different power conferences are pursuing the three-star prospect.
"Auburn, Memphis, Clemson, and just recently Indiana are all recruiting me," said Byars. "I've also talked Florida on the phone in the past. They called the other day, but I missed the call."
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Byars' fortune changed after the early signing period when he became a full qualifier. Prior to that point, the four year schools that saw him over the summer had backed off, and only junior colleges were pursuing him.
"No one would have taken me before I qualified even if I was averaging 60 points a game," he said. "I was thinking about Wabash Valley Junior College. They are the number two junior college in the country."
Averaging 28 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals per game for Coosa High School (22-3), Byars is completely open in his recruitment and focused on finishing his season off strongly.
"After the season I will decide who to visit and all that," he said. "I don't have a favorite college team or anything like that. I will just figure things out when the season is over."
Primarily a slasher, but also able to knock down the jumper, Byars said that the schools recruiting him like his attitude, effort and ability to score.
"They like my composure on the court," he said. "I stay the same whether times are good or times are bad. They also like how hard I play, and most important, the fact that I'm a scorer.
"I'm a first step guy and best in the mid-range. I can hit the outside shot. I made five threes last night. But I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not a J.J. Redick or anything. I shoot alright, but I'm not going to kill you with my jumper."