Durham becomes IU’s first verbal for 2017
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Twitter: BTS_Report
LILBURN, GA – Aljami Durham Jr. is a shooter and wants information delivered to him the same way.
This is exactly why the 6-foot-4 combo guard became the first player of the Class of 2017 to commit to the Indiana University on Monday.
Durham had offers from Virginia Tech, Florida, Rhode Island, Louisiana Tech, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Georgia.
“I loved the fact the coaching staff and coach Tom Crean was honest with me,” Durham said. “I felt like they wanted to make me better as a person on and off the court. Also, the atmosphere was just amazing.”
Durham was making his second visit to the Bloomington campus for Hoosier Hysteria. The drive back to suburban Atlanta led to the Durham family weighing the pros and cons about becoming a Hoosier.
Durham is a combo guard, who could project in becoming a point guard within the Hoosier’s program. He has a good-looking jumper and enough creativity to really keep defenders off balance. Durham is headed into his junior season at Berkmar High. Several websites have him rated as a three-star prospect.
Over the summer, Durham averaged 12.8 points, three rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24 minutes of action for the Southern Stampede on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit.
Durham’s father – Al Durham Sr. – told ZagsBlog.com, “Coach [Tom] Crean has a good reputation of developing guards and getting them to the next level, and that system he has down there is hands down one of the best. And they really, really recruited him. They seemed genuine.”
Indiana assistant Chuck Martin and Durham played high school ball at St. Raymond’s in the Bronx, which also helped the younger Durham understand there would be nothing handed to him.
“My dad being hard on me 24/7 has made me as good as I am today,” the younger Durham said. “He’s put that fire in me to work and to know that I’m not done yet. They (IU coaching staff) matched that same push and that’s what made it feel like a perfect fit for me to IU.
“Man I can’t wait to become an official Hooiser.”
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.