Lighty Focused on Hoops

David Lighty, the No. 17 ranked player in the class of 2006, has given up the cleats for at least this year, and perhaps for longer. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard from St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, Ohio, is focused on hoops and already sports four high-major offers.

"I like Syracuse, Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Michigan State, and Ohio State,” said Lighty. “I've received offers from Syracuse, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. I still have a long way to go in the recruiting process and look forward to learning more about these schools."

The biggest question surrounding Lighty’s recruitment is what he will do with football. The outstanding receiver is not sure if he will pursue the sport in college, but there is no doubt that he will lace them up on the hardwood.

"I’m not playing football this year,” he said. “I don’t know what I will do next year. I have given some thought to playing both sports in college, but right now I’m just not sure. As of right now, basketball is my main priority, and I’m concentrating on getting better."

Lighty, who averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals per game as sophomore, is a heady player and rangy athlete. He moves well without the ball where he can read screens and shoot the ball quickly off the cut. He complements his catch-and-shoot game with the ability to attack the rim. Defensively, he has the length to contest shots and to get out into the passing lanes.

For all his tremendous strengths, Lighty is not satisfied and is working diligently to round out his game.

"I need to work on shooting off the dribble,” he said. “I think it will open up my outside game and will help me in getting to the rim. I want to become a complete player.

"I think my greatest strength is my strength and my ability to finish at the rim."