Highly-touted NCAA Basketball grad transfer Bryce Aiken is down to four schools.
Former Harvard guard Bryce Aiken has been one of the most sought after NCAA Basketball grad transfers since announcing that he was going to finish his college playing career elsewhere. Now, Aiken, who heard from over 25 schools, is down to a final four. Michigan, Maryland, Seton Hall, and Iowa State are the schools that made the 6-foot gunslinger’s April 1st list.
Aiken is quick and posses sweet handles. He can get to the rim off the bounces, where he finishes well as he can score with an array of different shots. But what the 23-year-old point guard does best is shoot the ball, and he can make shots from mid-range as well as from several steps from beyond the arc. However, turnovers have been a problem for him the past two seasons.
The Randolph (NJ) native is slated to graduate from Harvard this spring, and he is expected to receive a medical waiver after appearing in just seven games this past season as a result of a foot injury. Aiken averaged 16.7 points along with 1.9 3-points a game in 2019-20 while shooting 41.2% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc, and 87.2% from the charity stripe. He scored in double-figures in five of his seven appearances, which includes 30-point performances against both Holy Cross and Maryland.
Here is a breakdown of Aiken’s final four schools as well as his thoughts on each program, as told to 247Sports.
Iowa State: Aiken said he has developed a strong relationship with the Cyclones head coach Steve Prohm. ISU has won 20-games in three of the five years and reached the Big 12 championship a year ago under Prohm. The Cyclones struggled this past season, and their season collapsed after losing star point guard Tyrese Haliburton with nine games remaining.
The Cyclones do need help in the backcourt as combo guard Rasir Bolton is the only significant returnee. However, they are also reportedly interested in Wichita State’s Jamarius Burton as well as JUCO transfer Elbert Ellis. Iowa State which has signed four players, including three-star point guard Jaden Walker, still has three scholarships more to hand out in 2020.
Maryland: Aiken has had a relationship with head coach Mark Turgeon and assistant coach Bino Ranson since high school. He also believes that the Terps, who have won at least 19 games in each of the last six years, will once again put out another super talented team with perhaps Jalen Smith, Aaron Wiggins, and Donta Smith. Plus, the Terps could use some help at point guard following Anthony Cowen Jr.’s graduation.
However, Eric Ayala and Darryl Morsell probably could play the point though Aiken would be the better option. Maryland has signed three-star combo guard Marcus Dockery and possesses a verbal commitment from three-star combo guard Aquan Smart. The Terrapins also secured a commitment from Boston College transfer Jairus Hamilton on April 1 and have at least one more scholarship to hand out.
Seton Hall: Just like Maryland, Aiken visited Seton Hall while he was in high school. “I feel like Seton Hall is building a special program, “Aiken said. “Everyone has to respect coach Willard, seeing the success he’s had not only with his players but also the overall program over the past four or five years beginning with Isaiah Whitehead. Coach Willard has a tremendous belief in his players. I’ve been able to rely on the relationship that I’ve had with him since my freshman year of high school and have enjoyed reconnecting with him.”
Willard has led the Pirates to five straight 20-win seasons and four NCAA Tournament bids. The Hall won its first regular-season crown this past season since 1993. The Pirates also could use help at point guard now and in the future. Seton Hall lost starter Quincy McKnight to graduation, thus leaving Shavar Reynolds along with Anthony Nelson and 2020 three-star prospect Jahari Long as lead guards currently on the roster. They are reportedly interested in Wichita State transfer Jamarius Burton and Pitt’s Trey McGowen.
Michigan: “I think playing for Juwan Howard would be awesome, ” Aiken said. “He has the NBA experience that I would relish in learning from. I was able to watch them play on TV a few times this past season, and it looks like his team has a ton of fun out there. That’s one of the biggest things that has stuck out to me. I believe he’s another terrific coach, and speaking with him on the phone only reassures me of his belief in my ability to help them win. They’ll be another top 10 team and going into that situation – being able to lead those guys and represent the University of Michigan would be incredible.”
Michigan doesn’t technically currently have a scholarship available for 2020, and the Wolverines are favored to win the recruiting battle for 5-star guard Josh Christopher. The Wolverines have five commitments from the class of 2020 though four-star point guard Zeb Jackson is the only one to sign a letter of intent.
Projection: I believe that at this point, the recruitment battle is mainly between Maryland and Seton Hall, and I think that the Hall has a slight edge. I could see Michigan being a factor if they lose out on Christopher.