Here's why top hoops recruit Adrian Myers chose URI over other suitors
Adrian Myers held an offer from George Mason and interest from a host of other schools entering his prep year at Massanutten Military Academy.
Rhode Island basketball: The Rams' big moves as Archie Miller starts year one. What to know
Elite Eight surprise Saint Peter’s, James Madison and Kennesaw State were among the programs reaching out on a regular basis. July’s live recruiting periods gave Myers a larger stage to showcase his talents, and the Virginia native saw one head coach consistently on the sidelines.
Coach Archie Miller secured the pledge
That was Archie Miller, and it’s no coincidence the University of Rhode Island secured a commitment from Myers on Tuesday. He becomes the second Class of 2023 frontcourt prospect who has pledged to the Rams, joining New Zealand paint presence KC Nwafor.
“They care for the people they recruit,” Myers said Wednesday. “All the other colleges who talked to me, no other head coaches came out to watch me. Archie was there.”
Myers was a standout with DC Premier on the Under Armour circuit, helping the team post a 5-2 overall record at the championship event in Chicago. Myers averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in those five victories and racked up a double-double in a loss against Grand Park, collecting 14 points and 10 rebounds. He’s an athletic 6-foot-7-inch wing who can play as a bigger third guard or smaller secondary forward.
“I just felt like there wasn’t a better fit for me,” Myers said. “They were the first people to notice me — the first college.”
URI assistant coach Kenny Johnson served as the lead recruiter for Myers — they hold mutual roots in the Mid-Atlantic. Myers shares that connection with several members of the current Rams roster and took an official visit to Kingston in late July. Anthony Harris, Abdou Samb, Brayon Freeman, Ishmael Leggett and Louis Hutchinson all hail from the triangle including Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
“I felt like what Archie and Kenny have going at Rhode Island is really good,” Myers said. “They don’t have a professional team in Rhode Island, so the games are going to be big.
“I went on campus myself to see how they care for their team, how they run practice — I'll fit very well in their offensive game plan.”
URI men's basketball: Here are the assistants who will share the bench with coach Archie Miller next season
Myers started his final grassroots season on the Nike EYBL circuit with Boo Williams but never secured a regular role. He was productive while playing double-digit minutes in three games — 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting against JL3 Elite, 10 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes against Oakland Soldiers and a well-rounded 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals in a blowout of UPlay Canada. Myers ultimately left the team after three sessions and finished his summer elsewhere.
Myers at DC Premier
“I felt like I played great when I got the minutes, but beggars can’t be choosers,” Myers said. “I had to switch teams, and then [DC Premier] gave me the role I liked. It went from there.”
The Colonels reached the Final Four in the national prep tournament last season — Myers and his teammates are chasing a title in 2022-23. Alums from the school include former URI wing Tyrese Martin, Kansas guard Frank Mason, Georgetown forward Jamorko Pickett and Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton. Myers is looking to improve his ballhandling and overall strength in the next 10 months.
“I would like to get my handle tighter, get a little bigger and try to win a national championship,” Myers said. “We went to the Final Four last year — we're trying to win this year.”
URI men's basketball: New grad assistants with local ties: Justin Mazzulla and Andrew Chrabascz
The Rams are among the contenders for Virginia shooter Connor Dubsky and have made the final six for New Jersey guard Cam Estevez. Dubsky is expected to announce his decision on Friday and will play this season at nearby Putnam Science. Estevez will select between URI, VCU, St. Bonaventure, Miami (Ohio), Central Florida and Mississippi State.
“If they need my help, they’ve got my number,” Myers said. “I’ve helped them with a couple guards.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Adrian Myers chose URI men's basketball due to coach Archie Miller
