British native Rory Stewart commits to URI men's basketball team
A second international commitment in as many weekends has helped the University of Rhode Island bolster its next recruiting class.
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London native Rory Stewart pledged to the Rams via his social media accounts on Saturday. He’ll join Orangeville Prep teammate Jeremy Foumena in Kingston next season as an incoming freshman.
After a great visit with @Archie_Miller , @CoachWoodward40, and the rest of the coaches and staff. I am pleased to announce my commitment to The University of Rhode Island @RhodyMBB 💙🐏#GoRhody @OrangevillePrep @CoachTonyMac pic.twitter.com/Ke9pp9tRaP
— Rory Stewart (@roryst3wart) May 7, 2022
Stewart is a 6-foot-9 shooter who held interest from a host of mid-major schools. Coastal Carolina and Pacific both played the latest version of The Basketball Classic, the rebranded version of the College Insider tournament. Stewart also reported contact with the likes of Portland, Mount St. Mary’s, Holy Cross and Eastern Michigan.
Orangeville is located in the Toronto area and plays an international schedule against some of the top prep programs in the United States. Stewart performed well in November at the Lighthouse Classic in Mississippi, earning game Most Valuable Player honors against Tennessee power Hamilton Heights. He poured in 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 68-57 triumph.
Stewart also fared well at The Bash, another showcase event the following month in South Carolina. He collected eight points and nine rebounds in a victory over The Patrick School, the perennial New Jersey contender that counts former URI forward Cyril Langevine among its alumni.
Ben Eaves was the last England native to suit up for the Rams after spending a lone season at Connecticut. He played three years at URI from 2008-11, helping the program reach an NIT semifinal as a junior. Eaves hailed from Preston, a city in the country’s Northwest.
Rams assistant Duane Woodward served as the lead on both Stewart and Foumena. They add to a frontcourt that returns only redshirt forward Abdou Samb. Significant available playing time has certainly been part of the recruiting pitch as the Rams move into a new era under head coach Archie Miller.
The Rams are up to four commitments in their incoming class. Assistant coach Kenny Johnson secured the other two – George Washington transfer point guard Brayon Freeman and wing scorer Louis Hutchinson. Freeman earned Atlantic 10 rookie recognition in his lone season with the Colonials and Hutchinson elected to start his college career next season instead of pushing his decision into the Class of 2023.
URI still holds four open scholarships after resolving the remainder of its own transfer portal business. Malik Martin and Ishmael Leggett will both return for the 2022-23 season. Ileri Ayo-Faleye (Vermont), Tres Berry (Charleston Southern), Allen Betrand (Rider), Makhi Mitchell (Arkansas), Makhel Mitchell (Arkansas) and Antwan Walker (Bryant) will all play elsewhere after departing a program that finished 15-16 last year.
The Rams have issued a host of offers to Class of 2023 and Class of 2024 prospects. Miller said during his introduction he wanted to build URI for the long term and wouldn’t resort to quick fixes in the portal. That player development approach helped Miller reach four NCAA Tournaments and an Elite Eight during his six-year stint at Dayton from 2011-17.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: British native Rory Stewart commits to URI men's basketball team
