Dayton 2017 Recruiting Class Preview
With over a month remaining before the 2016–17 season gets underway, Archie Miller and the Dayton Flyers recently began pulling in some big time recruits for the 2017 class. Jordan Davis, Jordan Pierce, and McKinley Wright all committed to Dayton following their visits just a short while ago. Despite already receiving three commitments, the Flyers still have two more scholarships available for the 2017 class. With four seniors graduating at the conclusion of this year, Dayton looks to load up with young talent. Whether or not Miller will choose to utilize the two scholarships still available for the 2017 class, or save them for later, remains to be seen. Either way, the Flyers find themselves off to a very hot start on the recruiting trail for next year. With that being said, lets take a look at each of the three current Dayton commitments on an individual basis.
Jordan Davis
A 3-star prospect out of Irmo, South Carolina, Jordan Davis made himself the first commitment of Dayton’s 2017 class. Standing at 6’4” 180 lbs, Davis is a shooting guard with high potential. Even with offers from schools like Butler, Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, VCU, and many others, Davis chose the Flyers. When asked about what made Dayton stand out, Davis told me it was playing basketball at midnight. On his visit the Flyers played five-on-five scrimmage games late into the night and that really proved how much the guys wanted to win. Davis said “I love being in the gym, so that stood out to me.” The young shooting guard certainly seems like a perfect fit under Archie Miller as he wants to put in the work and succeed.
Not only does Davis have a personal drive to improve, he also wants to win as a team. The 6’4” guard from Dutch Fork High School told me his team goal at Dayton is to “Win a national championship and win the conference championship.” With lofty expectations comes a lot of hard work. Davis told me, “I want the Dayton fans to know that I’m just excited to get started and ready to work hard.” The first commitment of Dayton’s 2017 class definitely seems like the kind of guy Flyer fans will rally behind.
Jordan Pierce
Dayton added its second recruit to the 2017 class after 6’11” big man Jordan Pierce committed on his visit. Coming out of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Pierce brings a lot to the Flyers. His size and strength pose a threat around the hoop and with the development of a jump shot, Pierce could turn into a very special player. Despite having interest from South Carolina, Temple, Seton Hall, and a host of other offers, Pierce chose Dayton. As reported by David Jablonski from the Dayton Daily News, everything about Pierce’s visit to Dayton felt right. Although Pierce had a later visit set up with Temple and was not expecting to commit quite so soon, he could not help but pull the trigger. The near 7-footer out of Union Catholic High School should make a very nice addition and future center for the Flyers.
McKinley Wright
Rated as a 3-star point guard by 247 sports, Scout, and Rivals, McKinley Wright brings huge upside to Dayton. At 6’0” 180 lbs, Wright recently made himself the third addition to the Flyer’s 2017 class. Wright acquired interest from many schools, including offers from Xavier, Memphis, Kansas State, Minnesota, and Iowa State. After narrowing his list down to two teams, Wright chose Miller and the Flyers. In the end, Wright picked Dayton over his hometown school: the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Wright told me the Flyers stood out because they are “a team full of athletes who do whatever it takes to win.” The addition of Wright not only brings a highly talented point guard to Dayton, it also gives the Flyers another guy who really wants to win.
When I asked Wright about his goals at Dayton, he told me, “My individual goal is to be named a Bob Cousy Top 10 point guard in the country, and my goal for the team is to make it to the Final Four.” If Wright achieves these feats, one can be certain his career at Dayton would be a huge success; not to mention he would be down as one of the all-time Flyer greats. A lot of long hours must be put in at the gym first, however, before these dreams can start to become reality. McKinley told me “Flyer nation should know I’m coming in and doing whatever I have to do to help us win.” With the chance to play under a former great point guard like Archie Miller, watch out for Wright to develop into one of college basketball’s next great floor generals.
Overall, Dayton is off to a stellar start on the 2017 recruiting class. Davis, Pierce, and Wright all bring a lot of talent and upside to Archie Miller’s squad. With prospects like Keith Williams and Darryl Morsell still yet to visit Dayton, the Flyers class could take another huge leap forward. While Miller has already put together a very solid 2017 class, a commitment from either Williams or Morsell would take it to an entirely new level. As national signing day quickly approaches, the Flyers should know more about who will be the next to join the 2017 class in a few weeks.
What do you think about the 2017 class of Flyers? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweeting at us, @Flyer_Faithful.
