University of Dayton men’s basketball coach Archie Miller has announced the signing of three top high school players to letters of intent. They are 6-foot-9 high school teammates Jalen Robinson and Devon Scott from Ohio powerhouse Columbus Northland High School, and coveted 5-foot-11 point guard Jevon Thomas from Queens, N.Y. by way of Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C.
“We are really excited to add Jevon, Jalen and Devon to the University of Dayton men's basketball program,” Miller said. “They will all thrive in what we think is one of the best "quality of life" environments that any major university can provide a student-athlete. We are a program that is consumed with the philosophy of "Total Development". Development athletically, academically, socially, and spiritually is what you are getting with us, and all three of these young guys are about the process of "Total Development." They are a great fit for us, and we are a great fit for them. The Flyer Community is as welcoming as any I've ever been a part of and no one will feel it more than Jevon, Jalen and Devon.”
JALEN ROBINSON
6-Foot-9 Forward, Columbus Northland High School
Jalen Robinson became the first recruit in the class of 2012 for new UD head coach Archie Miller when Robinson committed in June. The 6-foot-9 forward is a product of Columbus Northland High School and is considered a top-five player in the state of Ohio for the 2012 class. Robinson helped Northland, an Ohio powerhouse, to a runner-up finish in the Division I state playoffs last season while averaging 12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game.
Northland’s record over the last three years is 76-4, with two appearances in the Ohio Division I state finals. As a sophomore coming off the bench he averaged 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds backing up one of the best players in the country, Jared Sullinger. The Vikings won the state championship in 2009.
Robinson was also a member of the 17U All-Ohio Red team that won the 2011 AAU national championship.
Dayton Coach Archie Miller on Jalen Robinson
"Jalen is a really talented forward whose length and ability to run will allow him to flourish with in our style. The biggest thing Jalen brings to us is an amazing skill set and feel for the game. He can play inside and out, his shot is consistent from the perimeter and he's one of the best passers I've seen at his age from the post. One thing that cannot be overvalued about young guys is winning, and playing at Northland and on the grassroots level, he’s had tremendous success."
JEVON THOMAS
5-Foot-11 Guard, Quality Education Academy
The second commit for Archie Miller’s 2012 class is 5-foot-11 point guard Jevon Thomas. He is from Queens, New York, but is playing basketball this year for Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after establishing himself as one of New York City’s top point guard the last two years at Our Savior New American High School on Long Island.
He verbally committed to the Flyers in September.
Thomas is ranked on Rivals.com as the No. 139 player overall and the No. 26 ranked point guard. On ESPN.com, he is rated as the No. 22 ranked point guard in the country and the No. 6 overall player from the state of New York.
According to ESPN.com recruiting, Thomas is described as a lightning-quick point guard who possesses “great end to end speed, terrific court vision, and a super tight handle,” and is the “prototypical lead guard.”
He participated in Chris Paul’s CP3 Elite Guard Camp during the summer of 2011.
Dayton Coach Archie Miller on Jevon Thomas
"Jevon is a true point guard who really thrives passing the ball. But he has the ability to finish at the rim with his athleticism and his shot can be a weapon from behind the line. He has the total package for how we play both on offense and defense. His teammates will love playing with him, because of how unselfish he is with the ball. The other thing that we love about JT is he has that edge about him. He’s a competitive kid that hasn't had anything given to him his whole life and he plays to win. It’s all he's ever known being from where he comes from. For JT, it’s a way of life."
DEVON SCOTT
6-Foot-9 Forward, Columbus Northland High School
The final commit in Archie Miller’s 2012 recruiting class is 6-foot-9 center/forward Devon Scott. Scott joins Columbus Northland high school teammate, Jalen Robinson, in a Flyer uniform.
Northland’s record over the last three years is 27-1, 23-1 and 26-2, with two appearances in the Ohio Division I state finals (2009 and 2011). The Vikings won the state championship in 2009. As a sophomore playing behind Robinson and Jared Sullinger, he averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds. Last year, he stepped up his game to the tune of 11.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots a game.
ESPN.com ranks Scott as the No. 6 overall player in the state of Ohio and the No. 51 overall power forward in the country. He’s known as a terrific rebounder and a solid scorer on the low block.
Scott was also a member of the 17U All-Ohio Red team that won the 2011 AAU national championship.
Coach Archie Miller on Devon Scott
"Devon may have as good of a motor for young player as I've seen. He's fearless and his transition from high school to competing at our level will be effortless from Day One. He's a tremendous rebounder and defender. His athleticism and strength are really impressive for a young guy. We look at his gifts and it is going to be really interesting to see how quick he blossoms offensively. He can really finish already and, in our opinion, has a very undervalued offensive package. The best part is that he's a really intelligent kid who wants to get better and better. When you look at he and Jalen coming from Columbus Northland together, it really puts a stamp on how important our state is to us. They have a chance to win championships together. Hopefully that will translate in the championship attitude we so desperately want in our locker room."
Dayton, who defeated Western Illinois 87-58 on Saturday to open the season, is at Miami on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Game time at Millet Hall is 7 p.m. ET.
