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Kevin Keatts’ Hargrave Military Academy connections might be paying off already. Ohio State incoming freshman point guard Braxton Beverly, who played for NC State assistant A.W. Hamilton at Hargrave, has been granted a release from his letter of intent. Reports from media members in Ohio indicate that Beverly intends to enroll at NC State.
A source tells me that newly released Ohio State point guard Braxton Beverly will be transferring to NC State.
— Zach Fleer (@ZachFleer270) June 30, 2017
Have been told that Beverly will likely transfer to NC State, where his high school coach, A.W. Hamilton, is now an assistant.
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) June 30, 2017
It sounds like Beverly and Hamilton had a close relationship at Hargrave, at least judging by Hamilton’s remarks after Beverly signed with Ohio State last fall:
" Braxton is without question one of the best point guards in the county. He is an elite shooter and passer, he is incredible using ball screens and has among the highest basketball IQ's that I've seen at any level. With all that being said, the absolute best thing about Braxton is his character- you're not going to find a better person than Braxton Beverly. I tell everyone that this year will be the best and saddest year of my coaching career...seeing Braxton leave Hargrave will be one of my toughest days as a coach. I wish I could coach him forever, but I'm beyond proud that he will be playing in such a great program for the next four years."
This is actually the second time Beverly has asked for a scholarship release prior to his freshman year of college—he was initially a Miami (OH) signee in 2016 before hitting the eject button and going to Hargrave, then signing with Ohio State, and now hitting eject one more time. College basketball, everybody!
Beverly was a three-star recruit in the composite ratings out of high school (ESPN had him as a four-star). He is not a transfer, he is a free agent, which means he will be able to play this fall no matter where he signs. He would give NC State three point guards this season, and while that might sound like a bit of overkill, State has a lot of inexperience at the position, even if Beverly is in the fold.
Keatts shored up the two-guard and wing spots with the graduate and undergraduate transfers he’s brought on board, but the point is still a question mark, at least in terms of overall depth at the position. I think everybody’s pretty confident in Markell Johnson as the starter, but behind him there’s only incoming frosh Lavar Batts—at least for now.