Dan Hurley has landed his first two commitments since moving to Wagner College from St. Benedict’s Prep.
Orlando Parker, a 6-foot-8-inch senior power forward from two-time state champ Orlando Christian Prep, verbally committed on Monday, as did 6-2, 175-pound combo guard Latif Rivers, an Elizabeth, N.J. native now at Avon Old Farms, a prep school in Conn.
“I’ve known Coach Hurley for some time and I know how he operates,” Rivers said by phone. “I know the coaching staff that they have has a lot of experience. If they can help me get better, I’m hoping I can help get their program to the next level. I checked out the school and I liked the school. I thought that Wagner would be the best fit for me.”
Rivers said he also had offers from Illinois State, Central Connecticut, Northeastern and Bryant.
“[Coach Hurley] would like for me to come in and be a point guard who can score the ball and run the show,” Rivers said.
Hurley left St. Benedict’s Prep after nine seasons to take the Division 1 job and soon hired his older brother, Bobby, as an assistant. Bobby led Duke to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1991 and ’92.
Rivers’ uncle, Malik Jackson, played against the Hurleys while at Elizabeth High and he believes the brothers will attract strong talent to the Staten Island school.
“Coach Danny Hurley and Bobby Hurley are well known throughout the state and the country,” Rivers said. “Coach Danny coached a powerhouse team at St. Benedict’s and Bobby Hurley went to Duke and accomplished a lot of things. I think they’re well known throughout the country and their names will attract other kids throughout the country.”
(Photos courtesy Orlando Sentinel and New England Recruiting Report)
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