Class of 2017 guard Al Durham commits to Indiana

  • 10/26/2015 9:03 am in

Class of 2017 Lilburn (Ga.) Berkmar High guard Aljami “Al” Durham became the first member of Indiana’s 2017 recruiting class on Monday morning when he gave a commitment to the Hoosiers.

Durham was one of several visitors to Saturday’s Hoosier Hysteria, his second unofficial visit to Bloomington. He was offered a scholarship while on campus in June.

“First of all I would like to thank God, my family, close friends and my coaches for guiding and preparing me for this decision,” Durham wrote on his Twitter account. “I would to thank all the coaches and universities that took the time out to recruit and call me. After discussing my options with my family we have decision that Indiana University will be the best place for me to attend college and further my basketball career! Hoosier Nation!!”

Durham also considered Georgia, Florida, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Rhode Island.

His father, Al Durham Sr., told Inside the Hall that the comfort level with Indiana’s coaching staff was big in the decision.

“It felt good with the coaches and the plan they have for him,” he said. “The chance to come in as a freshman and contribute to the team. Being able to get to Indiana with the system (Tom) Crean has in place and his track record with guards, getting kids prepared, to have that opportunity, how could you not?”

Durham Sr. father and assistant coach Chuck Martin both graduated from St. Raymond’s in the Bronx.

The 6-foot-4 left handed guard is ranked the No. 100 player in the country according to 247Sports.

This past spring and summer on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit, Durham averaged 12.8 points, three rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.1 minutes per game.

“He can shoot the ball well. He can handle it. He’s one of those bigger guards,” Durham Sr. said. “He can play the one through the three. He has to get stronger. He’s still growing.”

Durham Sr. said that he knew his son was leaning towards Indiana following his unofficial visit in June. The Hoosier Hysteria trip simply confirmed his strong feelings that he wanted to be in Bloomington.

“When we came from the first visit, he compared all of the visits from that point on to Indiana,” Durham Sr. explained. “That was a sign for me that ‘hey, he really likes them.’ He just told me, ‘it feels right, I want to get it over with.'”

“Indiana doesn’t have to wait. It’s Indiana basketball. They’re going to get McDonald’s All-Americans, they’re going to get high profile players, they can get guards. So he kind of wanted to put a stamp on it, own it and take on a challenge.”

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