Xavier signs highest-ranked recruiting class in program history
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University head basketball coach Chris Mack announced today an impressive five-member recruiting class that is ranked in the top 10 nationally by most of the major recruiting services, including No. 4 by ESPN.com and No. 9 by Scout.com. It is the highest-ranked recruiting class in Xavier history.
The star-studded class includes 6-6 small forward Trevon Bluiett from Indianapolis (Ind.) Park Tudor School, 6-9 power forward Makinde London from Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 6-5 guard J.P. Macura from Lakeville (Minn.) North High School, 6-9 center Sean O'Mara from Lisle (Ill.) Benet Academy and 6-4 guard Edmond Sumner from Detroit Country Day School.
"This is an awesome day for Xavier Basketball," said Mack. "While many recruiting experts have labeled our five-man class as a top class nationally, we feel we have the best shooting class in the entire country. My staff worked very hard to identify talented players with tremendous character. The five-man class of Edmond Sumner, JP Macura, Makinde London, Sean O'Mara and Trevon Bluiett has the makings of a special one."
Trevon Bluiett (Indianapolis, Ind./Park Tudor School) has earned a reputation as one of the best scorers in the 2014 class and is ranked No. 41 overall by Scout.com and No. 43 by ESPN.com. Bluiett averaged 27.8 ppg. as a junior for Park Tudor last season, leading his team to a 21-3 record and its first-ever Marion County Tournament Championship. Bluiett won back-to-back Class 2A State Championships at Park Tudor as a freshman and a sophomore.
"Trevon Bluiett is a highly talented wing who has an understanding of the game beyond his years," said Mack. "He is old school with his work ethic, his ability to create a shot and his understanding of how to use his body to create space. Trevon loves to win and his approach to the game is razor sharp. He's the consummate winner. Trevon has won two state championships and has his eyes set on a third for Park Tudor. He was Peach Jam's third leading scorer on Nike's EYBL circuit playing for his father, Reynardo Bluiett, on Spiece Indy Heat this past summer."
Makinde London (Nashville, Tenn./Montverde (Fla.) Academy) is a skilled forward who is ranked No. 72 by Scout.com and No. 91 by ESPN.com. London, who grew from a 6-1 guard as a freshman at Summit High School in Spring Hill, Tenn, averaged 10.8 points and 1.5 assists per game as a Summit junior last season. He transferred to Montverde Academy prior to this school year.
"Makinde London has so much potential and playing against the best high school players in the country every day in practice at Montverde will begin to turn that potential into production," said Mack. "His coach at Montverde, Kevin Boyle, does as good of a job as any coach in the country when it comes to developing talent. Makinde is a hybrid forward capable of changing the game at both ends of the floor. He is 6-9, can handle, pass and shoot the ball and can impact the game above the rim."
J.P. Macura (Minneapolis, Minn./North High School) is a big-time deep shooter who is ranked No. 89 by Scout.com. Macura averaged 26 points per game as a junior at Lakeville North, which lost in overtime to Park Center in the Minnesota State Class 4A Tournament Quarterfinal. He scored 39 points against Jones' Apple Valley earlier in the season.
"JP Macura is fearless," said Mack. "He has a confidence on offense that's difficult to instill. He can shoot with anyone in the country. He is a great teammate. He has great length and his IQ for the game is high level. His skill set allows him to make the right play as he can shoot it, pass it and handle the basketball. JP's a gym rat. Every time our staff reaches out to him he's working out, shooting at his local health club or playing in an open gym."
Sean O'Mara (Lisle, Ill./Benet Academy) is a tough and skilled post player from the Chicago area who also plays left tackle for one of the top football teams in Illinois, Benet Academy. O'Mara averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 assists as a junior.
"Sean O'Mara is a tough kid, a winner," said Mack. "He has played both football and basketball for four years at Benet Academy. He loves contact and is one of the most physical seniors in the country. Sean is an excellent passer and possesses a great feel for the game at 6-9. He loves the low post and is extremely efficient with his footwork and ability to score in traffic. He rebounds, defends and plays team basketball."
Edmond Sumner (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day School), an explosive combo guard who ESPN.com referred to as one of six "Potential Risers" in its ESPN Top 100, is currently ranked No. 77. Sumner averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game as a junior while leading his team to a 25-3 overall record and the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) Class B State Championship.
"Edmond Sumner is a multi-faceted guard who can play on and off the ball," said Mack. "He is explosive, sees plays develop and can shoot from the outside. Edmond is tough as nails. He comes from a high school with plenty of tradition and competed on Nike's EYBL circuit for The Family (Jordan Crawford) in AAU during the summer months."
(Press release from Xavier)
