Class of 2014 small forward Dwayne Morgan insists that he doesn’t know which college he’ll attend even though he set a commitment date that’s less than a month away. But that doesn’t mean a couple of schools haven’t separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
“There’s not a definite school leading but those two (Maryland and UNLV) are in the head-running,” Dwayne Morgan told NRS . “The relationship that I have with those players and coaching staff separates them.”
How he gets along with his future coaches is one of the most important factors in his decision. The 6’8, 195-pound Baltimore native elaborated on why that relationship is so important and why Maryland and UNLV separate themselves in that aspect.
“How comfortable I am with being around the coaching staff is important because when I’m in college that’s who I’m going to be around the most,” Morgan, who said UNLV has been recruiting him the hardest, said. “My level of comfort with the coaching staff is going to be a big part of my decision. I’ve developed a really, really good relationship with UNLV and I have a good relationship with Maryland as well.”
Although previous reports listed seven finalists for the St. Frances Academy (MD) junior, Morgan only listed five schools still in the running: Arizona, Georgetown, Maryland, UConn and UNLV. Indiana and Seton Hall were cut from his list as he closes in on his decision date of April 5.
“[I'm down to those five because] I like the style of play, how comfortable I am with the coaching staffs and other players but location doesn’t really matter,” he said. “I just wanted to get all of the pressure out of the way so I can focus on my body and getting ready for the next level instead of having the pressure of where I’m going.”
Among his finalists, Morgan has only visited Maryland and UNLV. He took in Maryland’s match-up against North Carolina tonight as the Terrapins fell to the Tar Heels, 79-68.
“It was a good visit,” he said. “The atmosphere was really loud; it was a really good atmosphere. It was a tough loss but it was a really good atmosphere. My favorite [trip I've been on] was probably UNLV because they showed me a lot of love at the game. Maryland is neck-and-neck with them too though.”
Because he has been on so few visits, he’ll likely take more before he makes his decision. However, he isn’t sure exactly where and when those trips will be.
“I’ll probably go on two more visits before I make my decision,” he said. “Right now, I don’t know where. I’m still trying to decide who else to visit. I don’t know any dates yet either.”
Since Morgan identified Maryland and UNLV as the two sticking out to him, we asked how those programs differ from each other. He immediately pointed out the two schools’ style of play.
“UNLV, they get out and run and everybody is able to play within the offense,” Morgan, who said he fits UNLV’s style of play the best, said. “At Maryland, it’s still a little run’n'gun but it’s more of a system.”
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