HILLSIDE, N.J. — Marcus McClary is headed to Monmouth.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard from St. Patrick’s High School committed to the MAAC school during a press conference on Tuesday. He visited Monmouth officially this past weekend.
McClary also considered Old Dominion.
“It was more like a family atmosphere for me,” he said. “And when I got down there I just felt all the love and I knew this was the spot for me.”
McClary is Monmouth’s second Class of 2017 commit following 6-4 shooting guard Deion Hammond of Riverdale Baptist (MD).
“They said I could play the one, two or the three position so I’ll be everywhere and I feel like I can do that,” McClary said.
Said St. Pat’s coach Chris Chavannes: “I think it’s a perfect system for him because of the way they play. They play hard, they get out and run, they play very similar to how we play and I think it’s a great fit.
“The first time we went down to visit last year, [Monmouth coach] King Rice just took a liking to Marcus. He was the guy he just singled out and identified and he fits the style of play. Marcus is just an hard-nosed, old-fashioned player. He’s one of the best defenders in the country. He’s guarded Jayson Tatum. He guards the best players [on the other team] for us the last four years and he’ll continue to do that for us this year. And I’m sure when he moves on to the next level. This year he’s much better driving the ball to the rim with his strength and athleticism, so they’re getting a helluva player, they really are. He’s also an outstanding student.”
Monmouth had been in the mix for St. Anthony’s point guard R.J. Cole, who surprised many by choosing Howard last month, and will now add a point guard from rival St. Patrick’s instead.
Monmouth is also in the mix for District Heights (MD) Bishop McNamara combo guard Jamir Moultrie, but he has now expanded his list to include Georgetown, Georgia, La Salle and Monmouth and is expected to announce later this month.
McClary is the second St. Pat’s senior to commit this fall, following 6-1 shooting guard Jamir Harris, who pledged to Minnesota.
Nick Richards, the 6-11 senior big man from St. Pat’s, is considering Kentucky, Arizona and Syracuse among others.
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