HYATTSVILLE, Md. – Noah Locke's stock has soared in recent months, and a recent offer from Kansas has turned his recruitment into a national affair.
Locke has been the model of consistency with his Team Melo brigade this summer, averaging over 20 points, three rebounds and two assists per game while knocking in over 40 percent of his perimeter tries.
The four-star prospect discussed the recent uptick with his recruitment.
“It has been crazy, but I knew that it was going to happen,” he said. “After Peach Jam, I knew that it was going to happen. That is why I didn’t cut my list down yet. I knew that it would get even more hectic. I added about four or five more offers and I have a few other schools that said that they were going to offer me. It has definitely been hectic but it has also been a blessing.
“Xavier, Michigan, Virginia, Florida, Providence and Ohio State are the ones talking to me a good amount.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Locke spoke on his Kansas offer as well as a few other programs that are heavily in the mix.
Kansas: “It means a lot. That is just something that every kid would dream of. Everything just feels so unreal now. I have been dreaming of this all of my life and for it to really happen, it is just great. Kansas, it just speaks for itself. It made me just want to work even harder.”
Michigan: “I really like coach (John) Beilein. He is really good to interact with and he interacted with my parents really well. He took us around on a visit, just him, and that meant a lot. He took me all around campus and showed me everything. I liked the facilities and the team seemed like it was family. It was just a great atmosphere.”
Xavier: “I give kudos to them because they have been on me the longest. Them and Providence are the ones that stuck with me since way before everything. I really give kudos for that and I respect it; it is something that I am going to consider whenever I make my decision.”
Providence: “Coach (Ed) Cooley, he is just like what his name is, he is one of the coolest coaches around. He interacted with my family well and my dad really liked him. He took us around, too, when I was there. The coaches came on a home visit and had a whole presentation for me. I like the way that they are going about recruiting me.”
Virginia: “They were there my sophomore year and was one of the first schools that actually came up to see me. It was actually my first ever visit where I went up there for a game. They ended up falling off a little and then they came back during the summer and I ended up going on a visit. I enjoyed the visit. It is a big school and it is all about UVA. I really liked it.”
Florida: “I really like them, also. Coach Mike White, he is really cool. Maybe every week, he calls me. He is a great guy. I want to go on a visit there and see everything. Coach (Darris) Nichols, he stays in contact with me. He hasn’t gotten to meet my parents yet but I really want to go and see what they are all about. I feel like I would really like it.”
WHAT'S NEXT?
Locke will finish his summer with the Team Melo 17-under unit before focusing on his recruitment.
“I am looking to cut it down after this July. It may take me a little longer now, though. There are a lot of schools in the mix so it is definitely going to be hard,” he said. “When I first want to cut it down, I want to get it down to maybe 10 or 12 but then after that, maybe cut it down to five.
“I feel like I want to commit before my high school season begins but if it starts to get really hard and there are a few schools that I really like then maybe I will wait.”
RIVALS' REACTION
Thanks to the value placed on shooters and Locke’s ability to run the point in spurts, his recruitment continues to grow. Michigan, Xavier, Florida, Virginia and Providence likely would have made up his top-five until Kansas came in with an offer.
Look for him to trim his list in August and then commit before the November signing period.