Washington lands 2016 point guard target

During the month of July, Washington and Lorenzo Romar didn't disguise how badly they wanted rising junior point guard Jermaine Haley.

On Monday, the efforts the Huskies made following Haley all around during July were rewarded. Hhe 6-foot-6 point guard from British Columbia who will play his junior season at the Canarias Basketball Academy in the Canary Islands ended his recruitment in favor of the Huskies.

Pasha Bains who runs Haley's DRIVE Basketball summer program broke down the decision.

"He's visited there and he has a great relationship with coach Romar and he's recruited him for a long time," Bains told Rivals.com. "They also have Tristan Etienne there and Jermaine has a great relationship with him from growing up with him playing together in our basketball program.

"They have a great belief in Jermaine and he likes what they have done with their guards."

Currently a three-star prospect, Haley is a sure bet to debut in the 2016 rankings and he will be in the four-star range. He is a fluid athlete who can really handle the ball and sees the floor well. He can be a bit passive at times and has the talent to be a bit more selfish, but that should come with time.

"They've talked about him just being a basketball player," said Bains. "In the past they have played with a few guards together and taking turns. They see him playing the point, the wing and bringing the ball up."

According to Bains, the decision to pick Washington over Memphis and Gonzaga wasn't an easy one.

"You have to give credit to Memphis and Gonzaga for the way they recruited him and the work they did," said Bains. "It's just a testament to how good a job Washington did that they were able to beat out two schools like that."