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Originally Posted by Flyer75 on September 22, 2012 Re: Dayton Recruiting - Post # 3001 E.C. Matthews to URI. Congrats to the Rams. UD had offered him also.

The most notable official visits being made this weekend involve a pair of recruits from Simeon Career Academy in Chicago -- 6'-"6 wing forward Kendall Pollard and 6'-2" 2013 point guard Jaylon Tate.

Pollard will be visiting the University Of Dayton, a school that has undoubtedly been among Pollard's frontrunners since Flyers head coach Archie Miller offered him a scholarship after the first week of the July evaluation period.

Pollard has also had in-home visits with Dayton, Southern Illinois University and Colorado State, and is also scheduled to take an official visit to Rhode Island next weekend.

Virginia Tech is yet another school that is in the mix. Miller and the Flyers already have a commitment from one Chicago-area recruit in the 2013 class -- 6'-0" combo guard Kyle Davis from Morgan Park High School in Chicago.

There is no question that Miller and his assistants are hoping that Pollard can become the second.

Do you have any more visits planned?

"I may take a visit to Rhode Island this coming weekend."

Kendall Pollard visited Dayton last weekend and when asked what he did during his time in town, he said: "Pretty much just eat. And have fun."

The 6-foot-6 senior from Chicago Simeon Career Academy is a priority for the Flyers. And coach Archie Miller isn’t the only one at UD making a push for the talented small forward.

"D-Mo told me, 'Just come to Dayton,' " Pollard said, referring to UD junior forward Devin Oliver.

Pollard also is considering Rhode Island, Colorado State, and Bradley. He’s been to the latter two schools and plans to visit Rhode Island later this month.

Asked where UD ranks with him, he said: "They’re in the top three or two. I really don’t know yet. I don’t have a No. 1."

He said Miller would like to see him decide soon.

"He just said I’m his No. 1 guy for the small forward spot. If I don’t make a decision sometime, he’ll have to go with someone else," Pollard said. "He just said I’d fit in with what they’re trying to do."

Asked when he’d make a decision, Pollard said, "Before the season starts. I should have my mind made up by then."

The University of Dayton basketball program already has one top-150 national recruit in the fold in Chicago combo guard Kyle Davis, and the Flyers added another Friday in New York City point guard Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith.

The 6-foot-1 Davis is rated No. 109 among seniors on the Rivals.com list, while the 6-2 Smith is No. 121. It’s the first time since at least 1998 when Rivals started that UD has landed two top-150 players in the same recruiting class.

Among schools offering Smith scholarships were Illinois, Penn State, Wichita State, Duquesne, Rhode Island and Richmond, according to Rivals.

“It just came down to where the best decision was, where the best opportunity was,” Smith said. “It doesn’t really matter about the Big Ten or BCS conferences because the Atlantic 10 is on the rise. It’s also one of the best conferences in the NCAA.”

Asked how UD coach Archie Miller reacted to the news, Smith said: “He was happy. He knew I was making a decision (Friday), and he asked me what it was. I let him know it was Flyer Nation. He was real excited. He said he was going to throw a party.”

After his New York City high school shut its doors, Smith transferred to Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut and averaged 17 points and six assists last season.

“He chose the right level where he can really excel and also develop by being on the court,” said Shandue McNeill, Smith’s coach on the AAU New York Lightning. “He could have played at a higher level, at the highest level, but I think it was a matter of Dayton giving him an opportunity to get on the court and grow while he’s playing.”

“He’s a tremendous leader. He’s very crafty. And he’s going to help Dayton in a variety of ways – he can dribble, shoot and pass at an extremely high level.”

Brian Snow, a recruiting analyst for Scout.com, said Smith has a common trait among New York City point guards: tenacity.

“A lot of kids from New York City, they’re tough. And Scooch is no different,” he said. “Maybe he’s not like Kemba Walker (a former Connecticut star) or Tu Holloway (Xavier) in that regard. He doesn’t want to rip your heart out, per se. But he’s still got that toughness to him, the intestinal fortitude. And for a city kid, there’s usually no stage too big.”

McNeil added: “The one difference that separates Scoochie from a typical New York City guard is he can shoot the ball. He can make shots at a high level.”

Dayton scored an important commitment early Friday evening from 6-foot-3 guard Dayshon Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Putnam Science Academy).

Smith had seen his recruiting skyrocket over the last three months as he proved to be one of the few two-guards who was capable of sliding over to the point without a problem thanks to his instinctive feel for the game and an enhanced driving game to match his 3-point range.

Smith picked up offers from Illinois, Providence, Penn State, and the vast majority of the Atlantic 10 after his summer with the New York Lightning and was receiving increasing interest from the likes of Kansas State, Memphis and others.

Syracuse, Providence, Miami And More Are Now Interested.

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Originally Posted by Muddy Waters on May 17, 2012 Quote: Originally Posted by a10nick on May 17, 2012 Finally, Myles Davis is not just another Brad Redford. He can create, take it to the hoop, and shoot from the perimeter. Scoochie Drawing a Buzz in the Recruiting World (Alex Kline, Rivals/TheRecruitScoop - May 14, 2012) Quote: Earlier in the year, he squared off with Xavier signee Myles Davis of Notre Dame Prep (MA) and dropped 37 points in a loss.

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Originally Posted by College Hoops on June 5, 2012 According to Rivals and elsewhere, UD has supposedly offered PG Dayshon Smith out of Putnam science in Connecticut. From Brian Bosworth of NBE Basketball: "Scoochie’ as he is known affectionately by friends and family is a New York City native, who previously attended Rice High School before financial hardship forced the longtime NYC powerhouse to close. Smith, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound point guard, took his talents to Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut to continue his schooling. So far this spring on the AAU trail with NY Lightning he has turned heads with his play. Possessing one of the best handles on the circuit, a classic NYC magician with the basketball, Smith shows he is the all-around package with athletic ability, tenacious defense and the ability to score and distribute. Smith is averaging 15 points a game and shooting 40% from beyond the arc in EYBL action while maintaining a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio and being among the league’s leaders in steals. Smith appreciated the chance to play in front of the college coaches out on the road earlier this spring as his move out of NYC has left him off the radar of many coaches previously.

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Originally Posted by Muddy Waters on September 13, 2012 3-Star PG Dayshon "Scoochie" Smith (Rivals Profile - # 121 in Rivals 150) Dayton Continues Push for Scoochie Smith (Matt Schwade, FlyerHoops.net - September 12, 2012) Dayshon "Scoochie" Smith Dayton has been relentless in their pursuit of Dayshon "Scoochie" Smith for quite some time now. The Flyers identified him as one of their top targets before he had his "breakout" summer and continue to make him their top priority. Flyers Trying to Climb the Rankings (Matt Schwade, FlyerHoops.net - September 19, 2012)

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Originally Posted by Doug Harris on October 5, 2012 "He [Dayshon] chose the right level where he can really excel and also develop by being on the court," said Shandue McNeill, Smith’s coach on the AAU New York Lightning. "He could have played at a higher level, at the highest level, but I think it was a matter of Dayton giving him an opportunity to get on the court and grow while he’s playing." He’s a tremendous leader. He’s very crafty. And he’s going to help Dayton in a variety of ways – he can dribble, shoot, and pass at an extremely high level." McNeil added: "The one difference that separates Scoochie from a typical New York City guard is he can shoot the ball. He can make shots at a high level."

Dayshon Smith, better known as "Scoochie" in the basketball community, has proved that hard work pays off.

At 6'-2", Smith displayed an uncanny ability to score the ball throughout the year. While during his junior season at Putnum Science Academy

(CT) as well as the AAU scene, running on the EYBL circuit with New York Lightning, Smith’s prowess on the offensive end of the floor was always on full-display.

Now, the dynamic scorer is ready to announce his college decision. As seen in the commitment video below, Smith will attend the University of Dayton in Fall 2013.

"This commitment is a testament to [Dayshon's] hard work and dedication," says New York Lightning 17U coach, Shandue McNeill.

It is evident that Smith’s game has risen to another level since leaving Rice high school, a program that he credits much of his success to.

"Scoochie continued to improve while others remained the same. His best years are ahead of him," continued McNeil.

"Dayton has a steal!"

Smith chose the Flyers over Providence and Duquesne.

Here is Smith’s Commitment Video:


Dayshon Smith College Announcement! (YouTube - October 5, 2012)

Dayshon "Scoochie" Smith Breakout Point Guard - Summer 2012 (YouTube - July 9, 2012)

Putnam Science Academy (Conn.) point guard Dayshon Smith is off the board as of Friday night.

The 6-foot-2 guard and one of the highest rising guards in New England, has verbally committed to Dayton.

Smith broke the news himself, announcing it via his personal Twitter account.

"Next year I will be attending the University of Dayton," tweeted Smith.

Smith finished his junior campaign strong and it carried over to the AAU circuit with the New York Lightning. It was in the summer that Smith got offers from Providence, Illinois, and Penn State. He also began to gain interest from Memphis, who recently got a commitment from Smith’s AAU teammate, Kuran Iverson.

However the majority of the interest Smith received from the Atlantic 10 Conference with schools like Duquense, Fordham, Rhode Island, and UMass all offering, along with the Flyers.

In recent months, Smith had taken visits to Syracuse, Quinnipiac, Rhode Island, and Providence. He had been to both Dayton and Duquense within the last month.

"After those two visits I felt comfortable making my decision," Smith told ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein. "Dayton did a great job recruiting me. They had a good connection with my family and they didn’t miss a game all summer."

Smith joins Morgan Park High (Ill.) guard Kyle Davis as part of Dayton’s 2013 recruiting class.

    Player            Class      Pos.  Height  Weight    Hometown
      
 1. Matt Kavanaugh    Senior      C    6'-9"   250 lbs.  Centerville, OH
 2. Alex Gavrilovic   Sophomore   C    6'-9"   246 lbs.  Strasbourg, France

 3. Josh Benson       RS Senior  PF    6'-9"   228 lbs.  Dayton, OH
 4. Devon Scott       Freshman   PF    6'-9"   215 lbs.  Columbus, OH

 5. Jalen Robinson    Freshman   CF    6'-9"   243 lbs.  Columbus, OH
 6. Devin Oliver      Junior     CF    6'-7"   225 lbs.  Kalamazoo, MI

 7. Matt Derenbecker  RS Soph. SF/SG   6'-7"   215 lbs.  Metairie, LA
 8. Dyshawn Pierre    Fresh.   SF/SG   6'-6"   210 lbs.  Whitby, Ontario 

 9. Jordan Sibert     RS Soph.   SG    6'-4"   187 lbs.  Cincinnati, OH (Will sit out 2012-13 season.)
10. Vee Sanford       RS Junior  CG    6'-3"   192 lbs.  Lexington, KY  

11. Kevin Dillard     RS Senior  PG    6'-0"   182 lbs.  Homewood, IL 
12. Khari Price       Freshman   PG    5'-11"  170 lbs.  Slidell, LA

Scholarships presently available for a Spring 2013 Division I transfer = 1.

C: Matt Kavanaugh, Alex Gavrilovic, Josh Benson, and Devon Scott.

PF: Josh Benson, Devin Oliver, Devon Scott, Jalen Robinson, and Alex Gavrilovic.

SF: Matt Derenbecker, Jalen Robinson, Devin Oliver, and Dyshawn Pierre.

SG: Vee Sanford, Dyshawn Pierre, and Matt Derenbecker.

PG: Kevin Dillard, Khari Price, and Vee Sanford.

* Reserve roles will likely vary, depending on heights and strengths of opponents' players at each position.

Seniors - UD Class of 2013

1. Josh Benson       PF    6'-9"   228 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds)*
2. Matt Kavanaugh     C    6'-9"   250 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged  9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds)
3. Kevin Dillard     PG    6'-0"   182 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 13.3 points and 6.0 assists)
 * Josh Benson missed all 16 A10 games, the A10 Tournament, and the NIT due to a knee injury.    

Juniors - UD Class of 2014

1. Devin Oliver      CF    6'-7"   225 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged  4.9 points and 5.0 rebounds)
2. Vee Sanford       CG    6'-3"   196 lbs.  (2011-12: sat out transfer year)

Sophomores - UD Class of 2015

1. Alex Gavrilovic    C    6'-9"   246 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged  4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds)
2. Matt Derenbecker SF/SG  6'-7"   215 lbs.  (2011-12: sat out transfer year)
3. Jordan Sibert     SG    6'-4"   187 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged  3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds) 
 
Freshmen - UD Class of 2016

1. Devon Scott       PF    6'-9"   215 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds)   
2. Jalen Robinson    CF    6'-9"   243 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds)
3. Dyshawn Pierre  SF/SG   6'-6"   210 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 20+ points and 10+ rebounds)
4. Khari Price       PG    5'-11"  170 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 18 points and 5.6 assists)

High School Seniors - UD Class of 2017

1. Kyle Davis        CG    6'-1"   165 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 25 points and 7 assists) 
2. Dayshon Smith     CG    6'-2"   170 lbs.  (2011-12: averaged 17 points and 6 assists)