JaQuan Lyle talks recruiting at John Lucas camp
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — 2014 Evansville Bosse recruit JaQuan Lyle met with the media Sunday at the John Lucas camp at Hoops. Below is a transcript of the Q & A:
On his experience at Big Blue Madness: “It went real good. I was chilling with a lot of great players. Trey Lyles was there, Harrison twins, Cliff (Alexander) was there — got to hang out with them. Talked to Coach Cal(ipari), got to talk to the staff, got to just hang out with the players. I thought overall it was a great visit.”
On the reports of him attending Hoosier Hysteria: “I’m definitely going to Hoosier Hysteria this Saturday.”
On where Louisville stands with him this fall: “Louisville I hear from all the time. Coach (Kevin) Keatts, he’s a great coach. Rick Pitino, he’s a terrific coach. They’re close to home. Louisville’s a great fit, but (I) got to wait and see.”
On getting attention from Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana: “It’s a great feeling, but (I) just got to take it all in and stay humble at all times.”
On where he sees himself playing in college: “I can do 1,2,3 — whatever the coach asks me, whatever is needed. I’m kinda big and I know there’s going to be someone smaller that plays the point. So if coach wants me to play the 2, so the smaller, quick guard can play the 1 (I’ll do that).”
On deciding factors in where he ultimately commits: “Just whatever school (that’s) going to push me to be better, to be the best I can be and be a great school, a great fit for me.”
On his growing size: “I’m about 6-4 and a half and 205 now. (I’ve been) staying in the weight room for my high school team and just grinding all fall … I feel like I’m getting stronger and just playing with it so it’s wonderful.”
On the recruiting process: “I’m still enjoying the process and taking my time. Hopefully during the high school season some time or maybe even before, narrow the list down and see where that goes.”
On Indiana’s interest: “Coach Crean, he’s been hot, he’s been so hot. He came down last week or the week before and he watched me work out and then we went in coach’s office and talked for three hours. So Coach Crean, he’s a great coach. He’s so intense at all times and that’s why I’m considering IU.”
On where his interest level has been with the Hoosiers: “It kinda went down because I really didn’t hear from them that much but then it shot right back up whenever he came. Just the way he was talking — not about how I’d fit in — but how they do everything. The way he described it. Everything felt great and my grandmother loved it so, they’re high on the list. She was there and my high school coach was there.”
On what Coach Crean covered in three hours: “I mean, what didn’t get covered? Coach Crean talked about academics, me fitting in, what they’re doing right now, how strong everybody’s getting and how much he cares about players graduating and not just on the court like some schools do. And then we talked about just me as a person. That talk was great, I loved it.”
On being recruited by Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana and where he’d rank the three teams nationally heading into the season: “IU, UK and Louisville, they’re all great schools. Being able to play for any of them would be great for anybody, but I love it. I would have to put IU first, Louisville second and UK third.”
On his relationship with James Blackmon: “Me and James, we still cool. We talk all the time. I think him and (his brother) Vijay are going to Hoosier Hysteria too, so that will be cool.”
On what’s he’s looking forward to most about Hoosier Hysteria: “I just want to see the team for real. They look pretty good, so I just want to see them in action. Talk to the rest of the staff and fans.”
Filed to: Jaquan Lyle