Cincinnati Bearcats basketball gets commitment from 4-star point guard Keyshuan Tillery

Posted by Admin September 20, 2024 Basketball

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Cincinnati Bearcats basketball coach Wes Miller reached into New Hampshire to snare a commitment from 6-foot-1, 184-pound point guard Keyshuan Tillery Friday. It helps when you have something in common with a recruit.

Tillery, Wes Miller share New Hampshire ties

Before making it in college as a point guard with North Carolina, Miller once brought the ball up at the New Hampton School where Tillery works his magic for current coach Andrew Gale. Miller included in his recruiting pitch how cool it would be for a pair of New Hampton guys to someday cut down the nets.

Tillery announced via YouTube Friday afternoon. There was no hat dance, he immediately declared for the Cincinnati Bearcats as the gathered crowd applauded. For the orthographists, Tillery’s name is spelled “Keyshuan” and pronounced “Key-Shawn”. Regardless of spelling, Miller has landed another highly-rated talent.

“They built a relationship with my mom and my coaches,” Tillery told 247’s Adam Finkelstein. “I was comfortable there and everything seemed genuine. I gelled with the players right away when I got on campus. It was just a lot of love from the whole staff, Coach Miller, Coach (Andre) Morgan, Coach (Chad) Dollar, everybody on the staff.”

Later by phone he told The Enquirer, “The best thing I do is get my teammates involved. This summer I started to make a good amount of noise and people started to watch me. There’s a lot of opportunity, but I’ve still got to work, for sure. It’s a great program. They won at the highest level before, we’re going to bring that back and get things rolling.”

Tillery comes to the Bearcats as a consensus four-star player via 247Sports, On3 and Rivals. 247Sports lists Tillery as the No. 53 recruit nationally, the No. 6 available point guard and the No. 2 recruit in New Hampshire. Tillery previously played in Albany, New York before joining the New Hampton School.

“You get a competitor, someone that wants to impact winning any way I can,” Tillery said post-commitment. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’m just the ultimate competitor at the end of the day.”

New Hampton coach Andrew Gale on Cincinnati Bearcats commit Keyshuan Tillery

“He understands the history of Cincinnati,” Huskies coach Gale said. “I think that was something that struck him and made him realize how special a place that was.”

Gale mentioned Tillery’s maturity, competitiveness and basketball intelligence as qualities UC fans will like from Tillery. Specifically, Gale thinks Bearcats fans will like his ability to get into the paint and change-of-pace game, breaking guys down off the dribble.

“I can’t wait to be in that environment!” Tillery said of UC’s Fifth Third Arena.

Cincinnati Bearcats win out over Demon Deacons, Cavaliers, others

Tillery’s final three choices were Cincinnati, Wake Forest and Virginia. He had 28 total offers. Playing for the Nike EYBL New York City Rocks, he came into the Peach Jam this summer averaging 13.3 points per game, 4.2 rebounds and six assists. He shot 46.8% from the field and 41.6% from the three-point line according to Zagsblog.

“Watching his development with City Rocks and New Hampton, I think people saw the growth that he had,” Gale said. “Then he took a big jump this spring. He knows how to be coached. He’s a winner and he’s a sponge. He tries to listen to everything we have to offer.”

Tillery’s addition helps the Bearcats next season when Day Day Thomas moves on and Jizzle James (sophomore) could move on professionally.

“That was something that played a role in it,” Gale said. “He saw a clear path to contributing right away.”

Other UC possibilities have visited or will visit

The Bearcats have also been recruiting 2025 point guard Jalen Reece, a four-star from Orlando who was recently in for a visit. Reece is ranked 12th nationally among point guards according to 247. He is coached by his father, Steve Reece, the founder/CEO of the EYBL Florida Rebels, where Jizzle James once played. Steve Reece also coaches Jalen at Oak Ridge High School and has Cincinnati ties.

Another four-star, 6-foot-5 Davion Hannah from the Link Academy in Branson, Missouri is also scheduled for a UC visit. Hannah is ranked the No. 37 2025 prospect by 247Sports as well as the No. 7 shooting guard and No. 3 recruit in Missouri where the home state Tigers are among a list of top schools along with the Bearcats making a run at him. Wes Miller has had players from Link Academy before including current forward Tyler McKinley.