Post by elp525 on Sept 30, 2011 4:45:54 GMT -5
09/29/2011
Chip Fontanazza
MetroNews Recruiting
Huntington Prep Head Coach Rod Fulford On Macon
It’s not very often a player becomes the first commitment in the a recruiting class twice, but 6-foot-9 Huntington Prep forward Elijah Macon can say he did that. Recently Macon committed to WVU’s 2012 recruiting class and is the Mountaineers’ only commitment so far. Back in 2009, he committed to WVU during his sophomore year of high school, but de-committed within that year.
Even after Macon de-committed, WVU was still one of his top choices. In fact, de-committing made Macon more confident in choosing WVU the second time around. Huntington Prep head coach Rob Fulford said he wasn’t surprised Macon went with the Mountaineers when it was all over with.
“I don’t like our kids doing it, I don’t think it’s fair to the kids, I don’t think it’s fair to the University as well because you’ve got two sets of commitments there that a lot can change in a few years and kids like to be recruited and they all need to go see places,” explained Fulford.
That’s what Macon did after he de-committed. The dynamic forward had offers from USC, Cincinnati, Iowa and a few other Division I programs. His choice to explore other schools gave him a chance to compare other coaching staffs, schools, players and programs. It opened up something to Macon. Then after his recruiting journey was over with he had more confidence in the Mountaineers than he did when he first committed.
“He just wanted to open it up and listen to a couple of other options and at the end of the day he said this is the place I wanted to be,” said Fulford. “Obviously, West Virginia continued to recruit him and I think it’s a great fit for both.”
Macon spent his first three years of high school at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, Ohio. He is in his first year at Huntington Prep where he will travel the country and play against some of the top talent in the nation.
The Columbus native is listed as a 4-star recruit by many recruiting services, but Fulford feels when his senior season begins at Huntington Prep, his ranking may go up.
“He’s a play maker and I think his ranking is a lot lower than it should be from a national stand point and I think that will go up as he gets seen a little bit more with us this year,” said Fulford.
When Macon arrives at WVU he will give coach Huggins and the Mountaineers some more size and athleticism under the basket. Fulford believes he will play right away with the Mountaineers.
“I think he’s an immediate impact player not only in West Virginia, but in that conference,” said Fulford. “Elijah is a very physical, athletic, step out forward. He brings a lot of offensive weapons to the team. He can shoot the three, he can put the ball on the floor [and] make plays. I think he is something West Virginia is missing right now.”
Hopefully, for the Mountaineers, Macon’s second commitment will make an impact for WVU, and all of the time the coaching staff has spent recruiting him and re-recruiting him will payoff.
Fulford added, “I think from a priority stand point Elijah has always been West Virginia’s No. 1 priority at power forward.”
Chip Fontanazza
MetroNews Recruiting
Huntington Prep Head Coach Rod Fulford On Macon
It’s not very often a player becomes the first commitment in the a recruiting class twice, but 6-foot-9 Huntington Prep forward Elijah Macon can say he did that. Recently Macon committed to WVU’s 2012 recruiting class and is the Mountaineers’ only commitment so far. Back in 2009, he committed to WVU during his sophomore year of high school, but de-committed within that year.
Even after Macon de-committed, WVU was still one of his top choices. In fact, de-committing made Macon more confident in choosing WVU the second time around. Huntington Prep head coach Rob Fulford said he wasn’t surprised Macon went with the Mountaineers when it was all over with.
“I don’t like our kids doing it, I don’t think it’s fair to the kids, I don’t think it’s fair to the University as well because you’ve got two sets of commitments there that a lot can change in a few years and kids like to be recruited and they all need to go see places,” explained Fulford.
That’s what Macon did after he de-committed. The dynamic forward had offers from USC, Cincinnati, Iowa and a few other Division I programs. His choice to explore other schools gave him a chance to compare other coaching staffs, schools, players and programs. It opened up something to Macon. Then after his recruiting journey was over with he had more confidence in the Mountaineers than he did when he first committed.
“He just wanted to open it up and listen to a couple of other options and at the end of the day he said this is the place I wanted to be,” said Fulford. “Obviously, West Virginia continued to recruit him and I think it’s a great fit for both.”
Macon spent his first three years of high school at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, Ohio. He is in his first year at Huntington Prep where he will travel the country and play against some of the top talent in the nation.
The Columbus native is listed as a 4-star recruit by many recruiting services, but Fulford feels when his senior season begins at Huntington Prep, his ranking may go up.
“He’s a play maker and I think his ranking is a lot lower than it should be from a national stand point and I think that will go up as he gets seen a little bit more with us this year,” said Fulford.
When Macon arrives at WVU he will give coach Huggins and the Mountaineers some more size and athleticism under the basket. Fulford believes he will play right away with the Mountaineers.
“I think he’s an immediate impact player not only in West Virginia, but in that conference,” said Fulford. “Elijah is a very physical, athletic, step out forward. He brings a lot of offensive weapons to the team. He can shoot the three, he can put the ball on the floor [and] make plays. I think he is something West Virginia is missing right now.”
Hopefully, for the Mountaineers, Macon’s second commitment will make an impact for WVU, and all of the time the coaching staff has spent recruiting him and re-recruiting him will payoff.
Fulford added, “I think from a priority stand point Elijah has always been West Virginia’s No. 1 priority at power forward.”
