Howard makes USA 16U team
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Formerly committed to Arizona State, four-star point guard Markus Howard has become one of the class of 2017's premier floor generals.
Earlier this week, the 5-foot-10 point guard, who will play his junior season at Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, received big news when he found out that he made the final roster for USA Basketball's 16U National Team. Having been to USA Basketball's mini-camp back in October, Howard felt that he had an edge.
"I think coming back and knowing what to do in drills and stuff I could really be a leader," Howard told Rivals.com. "It's a tremendous boost knowing just what the coaches are looking for and what to do."
Rivals.com was in attendance for the first few days of tryouts and Howard was a dynamo on both ends of the floor. He played nearly flawlessly at the point as he hit open shots, found teammates and provided great ball pressure on the defensive side of things.
It wasn't a surprise, though. The No. 40 player in the class of 2017, Howard had been terrific all spring while playing for the Las Vegas Prospects in Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League. Howard scored 20 points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists per game playing up on the 17U level, so his confidence is fully charged.
"I feel real confident," said Howard. "I know that I've been really playing well against the top competition level."
Earlier in the spring, Howard backed away from a very early commitment he'd made to Arizona State. As it turns it out looks like it was a good move. His star is rising, Herb Sendek was let go (after the decommitment) and Howard has many more options.
"Deciding to decommit was something where me and my family realized that I didn't really go through the process," said Howard. "I didn't really receive all of the information that was out there for me and didn't really open up other options."
Since opening things up, Howard says that he's gotten offers from Indiana, Memphis, UNLV and Texas Tech to go along with interest from the new Arizona State staff. Many more are starting to call and this time around Howard is in no rush.
"I'm going to take my time with this decision because I know that it's really important," said Howard. "It's going to be either the end of my junior season or beginning of my senior season but I don't have anything set."
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