His name has been out there for months as a possibility, but there had been no offer.
That changed today as Indiana offered class of 2019 combo guard Harlond Beverly as it looks to continue to expand on its next incoming group of recruits.
Adam Zagoria broke the news via Twitter:
Indiana is the latest to offer 2019 @MVABasketball G @Harlond20. pic.twitter.com/zAuuMoaeIe
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 13, 2019
This latest offer provides further evidence that Indiana is pursuing a recruiting class of more than its current allotted scholarships. Earlier this week we shared the news that IU was in the “top seven” of Lester Quinones, another 2019 guard.
While Quinones appears to be more of a long shot, IU has been in close contact with Beverly for several months and likely would not have made this offer unless it believed it was in a good position.
The Hoosiers have no open scholarships available right now for the 2019-20 season. If freshman guard Romeo Langford goes to the NBA as is widely expected, that would create one opening, and Indiana is still a strong contender for 2019 five-star Keion Brooks, Jr.
Originally from Michigan, Beverly transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida for his senior season of high school.
ESPN recently added Beverly to their Top 100 in the class of 2019, and Paul Biancardi gave this assessment ($) of his development:
“Beverly enrolled at Montverde to learn more about the game and to develop his work ethic. Mission accomplished under coach Kevin Boyle. Beverly has practiced with greater focus and his team has reaped the rewards. He shines in three facets of the game: as an on-ball defender, an open 3-point shooter, and a scorer on straight-line drives.”
With Indiana’s recent struggles shooting the ball from the perimeter, Beverly’s ability in that area certainly makes him an attractive target. Moreover, IU head coach Archie Miller always places a premium on long and highly competent on-ball defenders that can successfully implement his pack-line defense.
Playing on a stacked and nationally elite team, Beverly has been overlooked at times in his recruitment. Recent high level play (17 points, 3 assists, 2 steals per game) on national television at the Hoophall Classic may have re-energized the process, with several offers coming in since, including from Iowa State, Utah and now Indiana.
The 6-foot-4 guard spoke with FloHoops about Indiana and some of his other top schools after the Hoophall Classic:
Indiana: “It’s close to home. I talk to the coaches all the time. I just feel that they have a really good situation for me. I grew up around the Big Ten area and that would be nice to play for them.”
Rivals currently has Beverly ranked as the No. 59 player in the class of 2019, while 247Sports ranks him 80th.
Other contenders right now include Baylor, Xavier, Miami, Georgia, Virginia, Iowa State and Utah.
The Detroit area native appears likely to take multiple official visits beginning this month after Montverde’s season concludes, and then he will make a decision in the spring.
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