Recruiting Report: 2022 Darren Buchanan
Yesterday was the opening day of the fall live period and there was no shortage of coaches for 2022 Darren Buchanan Jr. of Wilson High School in D.C.. Head coaches from Howard, Towson, Richmond and UMBC were all in attendance with assistants joining all of those head coaches plus assistants from George Washington, JMU and Charlotte. Buchanan just recently moved up to number five in the Prep Hoops MD/DC rankings after coming off a good summer with Team Durant .
“This summer with Team Durant was amazing. Being able to play with Dariq Whitehead and Rodney Rice Rodney Rice 6'4" | CG DeMatha | 2022 State #89 Nation MD and Judah Mintz was so fun. We had a great team, I learned a lot and the coaches made all of us better.”
Before Buchanan could really turn things up a notch with his college recruitment, he had to decide if he was going return to Wilson for his senior year because of a coaching change.
“It was kind of a no-brainer for me. When I found out coach Tee was getting the job, it was an easy decision because my relationship with Tee goes beyond basketball. It was a tough time though because so many people were asking where I was going to go to school but when it came down to it, it was a no brainer because I love the school here and I wanted to finish my high school career here and nowhere else.”
Recently it has been tough to get a read on where things stand with Buchanan’s recruitment but some more clarity could occur as he starts to schedule some visits and he spoke on the programs that are on him the hardest.
“James Madison, George Washington, Richmond, Towson and UMBC as well. Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech are going to come and watch me next week.”
Buchanan is taking his first official visit to JMU this weekend.
“I have a good relationship with JMU. I have known Coach Joyner for a while and he has always been staying in close contact with me. They got to see me at Peach Jam and once they offered me it was already in the works about me getting up there to see campus and I can’t wait to see it there.”
George Washington is the hometown school right in his backyard and the Colonial’s have made him a huge priority.
“That’s the hometown school, they are big on me staying home and I wouldn’t want it any other way honestly with the way they recruit. They are definitely one of my top schools. I have a good relationship with Coach Christian and if I were to be able to put on for D.C. that would be really cool.”
Richmond is another A10 program that is pushing for Buchanan, “They are losing a lot after this year so they are saying that I would have the opportunity to come in and compete right away so that has been their push.”
Buchanan is familiar with Towson since he had a cousin go there and spoke on them, “One of my cousins went there so I am familiar with the school a little bit. It isn’t too far from home so it would be good to go in there and play under Coach Skerry and his staff.”
In terms of a timeline for his recruitment, Buchanan said, “I am thinking about cutting my list in October and then committing in early or mid December.”