Duquesne Basketball: Dukes get upset recruiting battle win with Maceo Austin
Duquesne Basketball rarely ever beats out power conference programs for quality recruits. But Keith Dambrot managed to do so in grabbing three-star guard Maceo Austin.
This upcoming season has Duquesne Basketball fans looking optimistic. The Dukes had an improvement of seven wins in Keith Dambrot’s first year with the program, as well as a bunch of transfers with high ceilings now eligible to play for 2018-19.
And with there not being any scholarship seniors on the roster, the core of Duquesne’s team will be around for future years as well. But with transfers playing a part of every D-1 Basketball roster, coaching staffs always need to be on the lookout for premium talent in high schools.
Being located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Dukes normally have to look for hidden talent that the power conferences overlook or aren’t interested in at first. Even compared to A-10 schools such as VCU, Rhode Island, Dayton, and St. Joe’s Duquesne isn’t traditionally at their level in terms of recruiting ability.
That’s changed with second-year head coach Keith Dambrot at the helm. With decades of coaching experience, the former Akron leader has built-in relationships and access which gives him an advantage in terms of recruitment compared to other mid-major coaches. This weekend’s latest commitment to Duquesne is a prime example.
2019 Kennedy Catholic (PA) G Maceo Austin has committed to Duquesne over Penn State, Northwestern, and VCU. Huge get for the A-10 squad, Austin has a chance to be an all-league player.
— NextUpRecruits (@NextUpRecruits) October 4, 2018
Although the program was going after Maceo Austin hard, it was still hard to imagine the three-star shooting guard picking the Dukes over Big Ten schools such as Penn State and Northwestern. Even local rival Pittsburgh had some legitimate interest in him.
At 6’4, Austin has great size and can shoot the lights out of the ball from long-range. He projects as a scorer and could be a force in the A-10, alongside veterans Michael Lewis and Eric Williams. From Hermitage, Pennsylvania, Austin will get to stay in-state and play for a program whose direction is trending upward.
Next. Preseason A-10 Rankings for 2018-19. dark
Since 1981, Duquesne has had only one season with 20+ wins (2009) and no NCAA Tournament trips since 1977. It’s still a bit too early to tell but those streaks could very well be in danger of ending soon with Dambrot in charge, as his recruiting abilities already have the Dukes on prospects’ radars. Now it’s time to see the program rise in the A-10 standings and continue good news.