Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Daye, a 6-foot, 185-pound point guard, listed Arkansas, Clemson, Pittsburgh and Providence as his top four schools on Monday, via Twitter.
He has two years of eligibility remaining.
“Those are the schools that I like the best and could see myself at,” Daye said in an interview with ZAGSBLOG Monday evening.
He broke down each school:
Arkansas: “Right now, they’re one of the top teams in the country and one of the better teams in the SEC, if not the best team. So, I like what coach [Eric] Musselman is doing over there. With him being a former NBA coach and how his play style translates to the NBA, that’s a big plus. The Arkansas fanbase is incredible.
“The coaches talked to me about my game and how it translates. They like how I play defense, create my own shot and get others shots.”
Clemson: “Coach [Brad] Brownell and the coaching staff are working to turn them into a basketball school, not just a football school. Obviously, they’re in the ACC and they’re winning. I think their play style fits my game really well.”
Pittsburgh: “With the departure of Xavier Johnson, they’re in need of another guard to replace him. I think coach [Jeff] Capel is a really good coach. We have a good connection and he has a good background, coaching at Duke and being a part of a successful program. Pitt has a great fan base and I think they could do something good in the ACC with some more pieces.”
Providence: “Coach [Ed] Cooley, I’ve heard nothing but good things from him. His work speaks for himself. I think Providence is a really good school in a really good conference in the Big East. The way they play and how my game can translate are some key points in my recruitment.”
Daye says he doesn’t have a timetable for a decision.
“[I’m] just seeing who stays in contact the most as far as keeping communication with me and keeping in the loop with things,” he said. “I’m also trying to get a feel for each coaching staff, keep studying film of how these teams play and seeing where I can envision myself at possibly next year.”
When making his decision, Daye says he wants to go to a school where he can play ‘right away’.
“Just being at a school that has a basketball culture, which is mainly every school I have in my top four,” he said. “Also, just being with a coaching staff that trusts me, somewhere we have a good relationship on and off the court.
“That’s really it. That’s where I will feel most comfortable.”
Daye spent the last three seasons at Florida International before entering the transfer portal on Feb. 24.
This season, Daye averaged 17.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
“I’m a fast paced, strong, athletic guard,” he said. “I love to defend. I play really well in the pick-and-roll. I can get others involved and create for my own shot. I just love playing fast and getting after it.”
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