By JACK LeGWIN
CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Trevon Duval was clutch down the stretch for WE-R1 on Thursday at the UAA Finals.
The No. 1 ranked point guard in the class of 2017 averaged 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game in wins over DC Premier and Indy Hoosiers.
Ranked No. 5 in the class of 2017 by ESPN, Duval is now in the unique position of having to choose both a high school for his senior season — and a college. He plans to leave Dallas (TX) Advanced Prep International and said last week he hopes to choose a new high school by August.
As far as college, he says that he will be taking a step back and slowing down the process to give all programs recruiting him a fair shot.
“Little bit of everyone,” the 6-foot-3 Duval told SNY.tv after the win. “I’m taking things really slow right now. Trying to look at my recruitment a lot more, looking at a lot of different schools.”
While he wants to take things slow during the live periods, Duval did mention a time frame for cutting his list down.
“I was thinking of cutting it in August,” Duval said. “Cut it to 10 around the Elite 24 (Aug. 20). After that, I want to take all of my officials when I have those five. I want to see all of those schools and give everyone a shot.”
Duval mentioned a handful of schools that have been in touch the most recently.
“Most in contact I would say are Oregon, Kansas, Villanova, Maryland, USC,” Duval said. “Arizona is another school that have been in contact. I’ve been in touch with Coach Book [Emmanuel Richardson] I want to get to a place where they let their players play, I want to go to a place where they let the guards make mistakes and learn, and become better players.”
With the Terrapins having been a leader for a while, Duval says that they see him as taking over for their star point guard.
“They tell me like I could be the next Melo Trimble,” Duval said. “They tell me I could have that role, and they could run things through me, just giving me the keys to the team really.”
After winning Peach Jam when he was 15 with the New Jersey Playaz, Duval made it to the semifinals of the UAA circuit last year with We-R1. The former St. Benedict’s Prep guard says that representing New Jersey basketball is something he takes pride in.
“Jersey is a really good basketball state,” Duval said. “J.R. Smith, Kyrie Irving, and so many really good players coming out of there, for me going to high school there, I’m trying to put on for Jersey.”
Duval said he hasn’t met Irving, but he says that a follow on Instagram from his idol was a big deal to him.
“I haven’t met him, no,” Duval said with a laugh. “Kyrie just followed me on Instagram, and I was super hyped about that though, no doubt. Definitely look up to him for sure.”
Duval will play Team Felton with UNC Commits Jalek Felton and Rechon Black Friday night in the semifinals at 8:30.
Photo: Kelly Kline/ UA
