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While Chris Holtmann and the rest of the staff at Ohio State might not be able to have top prospects on the OSU campus right now due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Buckeye bosses definitely used their last few home games of the season to show some highly sought after recruits what it would be like to suit up in the Scarlet and Gray before the government shut down sporting and other events.
Just one of the many recruits who made it to campus for the Buckeyes win over the Terrapins of Maryland in February was Poca (WV) standout shooting guard Isaac McKneely.
Unofficial at Ohio State today‼️ pic.twitter.com/Xrnwe9Mwrz
— Isaac McKneely (@IsaacMcKneely) February 24, 2020
Previously taking trips to Xavier, Indiana, Liberty, Virginia, and West Virginia, the 6-foot-3 sharp-shooter isn’t a stranger to big time campuses. While it might’ve not been his first rodeo when it comes to checking out a top notch program, McKneely walked away from his time at Ohio State highly impressed.
“The trip was great. It’s really close to home — just about two and a half hours or so. I got to go back in the locker room and talk to the coaches and some of the players and obviously got to enjoy a great game. I really like the campus and everything Ohio State has to offer.” McKneely told Land-Grant Holy Land.
Not just in town to take in the top 25 match-up between Maryland and Ohio State, the talented sophomore also had time to chat it up with some of the Buckeyes staff.
“Coach [Ryan] Pedon is the coach we have been speaking with the most. I also met coach [Mike] Netti after the game. Coach Pedon showed me around and said they really liked my game and looked forward to coming to watch me this spring. Of course that’s on hold now with AAU postponed. I really liked their style of play. It was an amazing atmosphere.” McKneely added.
After scoring around 17 points a contest as a freshman, McKneely showed no signs of a sophomore slump this season. Helping Poca High to an overall record of 21-3, he averaged 22 points per game, and was named first team all-conference for his play on the court for the Dots.
Picking up early offers from the likes of Davidson, Liberty, Marshall, Stetson, and Xavier as well as interest from Cincinnati, Dayton, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, college coaches are keeping a close eye on McKneely. Not close to shutting his recruitment down anytime soon, adding a scholarship from the Buckeyes wouldn’t be something he’d take with a grain of salt.
“An offer from Ohio State would mean a lot because they play in the Big Ten, and are such a well respected program.”
Want to see what Isaac McKneely could potentially add to the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball squad? Check out some of his highlights from his sophomore season.