Class of 2021 top 40 recruit commits to UD
The latest commitment to the UD men’s basketball team further shows the attention that the team is getting nationally. Photo courtesy of Griffin Quinn, Flyer News.
Peter Burtnett
Sports Editor
DaRon Holmes, the No. 39 recruit in the class of 2021, announced his commitment to the Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team Saturday.
Holmes, 6-foot-8 power forward from Monteverde Academy in Monteverde, Florida, is the highest-ranked player to pick UD this century. Both Juwan Staten (2012) and Chris Wright (2007) had ranked No. 49 in their respective classes.
A four-star recruit with a .9840 ranking, Holmes had announced a top four of UD, Arizona, California and Marquette on Sept. 24.
Before transferring to the high school basketball powerhouse near Orlando, Holmes attended Millenium High School in Goodyear, Arizona, for his first three years of high school.
At Millenium in his junior year (2018-19), Holmes averaged 23.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 3.1 assists per game and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona.
As he prepares for his senior year at Monteverde, his commitment shows that UD head coach Anthony Grant is building a program that is gaining national attention, and that recruits are buying into the hype.
https://twitter.com/DaRonagon/status/1320056930505838596
“Coach Grant is a great coach and he has a great coaching staff,” Holmes told Rivals.com earlier this fall. “The style of play is great, and it’s also a really cool atmosphere and a really nice gym.”
Holmes made the announcement in a video to his Instagram.
“First off, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love,” Holmes said in the video. “Next I want to thank my family for always being there for me and close friends for believing in me. For all the past coaches and current coaches I’ve had and grown close with, thank you for being there for me when I needed you, and thank you for the tough coaching, the adversity and teaching me more and more about the game.
“Thank you, past teachers at Millennium and current teachers at Montverde that have helped me stay focused in the classroom. Thank you to the performance and basketball trainers for helping me develop my skills as an athlete and a basketball player.
“Growing up, I always had a passion and sense of urgency for the game. I’ve always been taught to work hard day in and day out. I’m going to continue to learn and grow at a high level so I can fulfill my goals and dreams. I will always continue to strive for great success and great opportunities.
“This was the toughest decision of my life. These were all great schools, but I can only choose one. To further my academic and athletic career, I will be attending the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. Go Flyers.”
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