Player EVALS: Sunday Commits
We welcomed the October sun in to our lives and with it NCAA teams landed 2018 hoopers left and right. The following players verbally committed this weekend:
PG Ronaldo Segu (FL)
The last two years Ronaldo Segu’s game precipitated a mid-major gold rush. Somehow twenty teams all identified him as an elite MM target.
Take a look at his offer list:
College of Charleston
James Madison
Georgia Southern
UCF
New Mexico
USF
Cleveland State
UNF
Florida Gulf-Coast
Jacksonville
Florida International
East Carolina
VCU
Stetson
Florida State (2015)
Towson
Northern Illinois
BUFFALO
Sunday Segu picked Buffalo and posted his reasons for the decision.
It been a good journey 💯🦍 pic.twitter.com/KeN478327Y
— Ronaldo Segu (@SeguRonaldo) October 1, 2017
Ronaldo Segu is a slippery point guard, who plays exceptionally at all speeds. The bounce of Segu is real. Defenders instinctively back off because Segu changes direction at an elite level.
“Rondo is a relentless worker, who is always working on his game and studying the game,” said 1Family AAU Coach Darryl Hardin. “They are getting a player that brings stability and excitement to the point guard position.”
Segu has good balance. He is hard to shake off his rocker. Offensively, Ronaldo Segu is always deciding as he dribbles. He keeps options open and reads the whole floor quickly.
Segu plays both sides of the court with uncomon vigor.
“A dog on defense and one tough kid, the type that everyone loves playing with and watching.”
Buffalo adds Segu to Jeenathan Williams (NY) in their budding 2018 recruiting class.
SF Luke Hamilton (TX)
“Just committed to Mercer!!!”
Hamilton is a great kid who sprouted up to 6-foot-6 very early in his young career. He was taxed with increasing foot speed and adding strength. From the time he turned in to his teens the young man has been able to shoot the pill. That was never an issue. But development was neccessary.
“I just have been working hard for it ever since high school started,” said Luke Hamilton. “Also, Mercer is really good academically. That was a big part of it.”
For what it is worth Hamilton is currently up to 6-foot-8 and “I think I’m still growing.”
COMMITTED!!!! #Mercer #GoBears pic.twitter.com/POSSV2kj9x
— Luke Hamilton (@luke_hamilton3) October 1, 2017
Why did the sharpshooter pick Mercer?
“I just felt comfortable with the coaching staff,” said Hamilton. “I loved the campus. They have a really good program.”
Hamilton was down to two schools, but did not need another official visit to be sure of his pick.
“I was kind of (leaning Mercer) going into the weekend,” said Hamilton. “My final two were in between South Dakota and Mercer. It just felt right. Once I was there it felt even better.”
He shared in the joy with many of his supporters.
“My parents are super excited,” said Luke Hamilton. “They are the ones that said it will be a good place for you. My aunts and uncles are excited and my AAU coach is excited.”
It must be wonderful for people who witnessed Luke’s hope materialize into a tangible “free” college education. Among them is Lockdown AAU Head Coach Derek Dion.
“I think I am the first one that stayed with their team, I would say graduated from there,” said Luke Hamilton. “His son just graduated from New Hampshire. After that I don’t think any of our players went D1.”
Lockdown, like many AAU programs tends to build strong players and commonly lose them to other programs. If you think transfers are common in college basketball keep an eye on May-June AAU roster alterations.
“Matthew Mayer (Baylor)…he played with us,” recalled Luke Hamilton. “Darius McBride (2019)…he played with us.”
Hamilton anticipates entering Sports Business at Mercer.
“It is kind of like a Business degree and a Sports Marketing degree. I think if you get a Sports Business degree you get a degree in both.”
A sharp mind, a sharp shot…Mercer is getting the idealized student-athlete in Luke. Both the ppg and the team G.P.A. are destined to climb with his inclusion next summer.
“I am going to sign November and then move in whenever the first workouts are in June.”
Both Hamilton and Segu, relative strangers now have a common teammate.
Hamilton’s future teammate and Segu’s friend and former teammate Daniel Love (FL) “was on the visit with (Hamilton) this weekend.”
Love committed to Mercer in early September (9th). He ran with Team M.O.A.M.
G Brandon Wade (MI)
For the past two years every prep writer in Michigan has been raving about Brandon Wade. Whether it be AAU or high school coverage Brandon Wade’s name was blanketed with praise. A known winner, Wade establishes tempo with his efficient, creative brand of basketball. Technically sound.
Extremely excited to announce my commitment to Duquesne University! 🔴🔵#GoDukes #A10 pic.twitter.com/33yQA1DpxU
— Brandon Wade (@bkbuckets_2) October 2, 2017
Brandon Wade can run an offense or lead a team in scoring. Dubbed a combo guard, Wade will give Duquesne Head Coach Keith Dambrot lineup versatility. Duquesne and Pitt don’t really recruit very hard in the state of Michigan, but this pull feels stealish.
While Wade’s current offer list is predominately MAC-centric the scorer could easily have waited out the process and been plucked by a depleted Big 10 or Big East team. Instead Wade joins Gavin Bizeau (IL) and Austin Rotroff (OH) in Dambrot’s first full recruiting class.