By RYAN FISH
CHICAGO — If Class of 2016—and soon-to-be Class of 2015—forward Maverick Rowan is leaning toward a specific school that he’s heading to this fall, he certainly didn’t reveal as much at the Nike Global Challenge on Thursday.
The star prospect, who plans to reclass after he finishes taking classes later this summer, said there’s no frontrunner among the four schools that he’s considering. Rowan said last week that his decision would come down to Louisville, N.C. State, St. John’s and West Virginia.
“I’m still considering everything,” Rowan said after his USA South squad beat Pan Africa 91-70 Thursday afternoon.
Over the weekend at Peach Jam, Rowan suggested that his decision could come within the next week or so. He provided no further update Thursday, however, and did not indicate that a decision was close. Rowan also did not point out a school that was recruiting him the most, saying they had all reached out to him about the same amount.
What Rowan is looking for in a potential school still hasn’t changed.
“I need to play right away,” Rowan said. “Like I said before, I’m not gonna sit on the bench until my senior year. That’s the way it is.”
That need also doesn’t seem to bring out a favorite among the Rowan’s final four.
“I think [playing time] is everywhere with those four schools,” he said. “I wouldn’t consider them if I didn’t think I could go there and play right away.”
With such a closed recruitment and a looming decision, Rowan says he decided to play at the Challenge for improvement, not exposure.
“Definitely to get better as a player,” Rowan said. “I needed to play while a lot of college guys are at summer school playing.”
Rowan says his favorite part about the Challenge, though, is winning. He said he looks forward to playing with star prospect and teammate Malik Monk, who led USA South with 20 points and six assists in the team’s opener.
When asked if there was a chance to learn from him, Rowan shook his head light-heartedly.
“Gonna try to beat him.”
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