Marist Gets Nod from Gavin

Ron Bailey, Publisher

October, 13, 2006 – According to Virginia Smith – Jayde Gavin’s mother - the Red Foxes of Marist College outfoxed the likes of “William and Mary, VCU, Fordham, Lehigh, College of Charleston, Jacksonville” and others by last week by securing Jayde’s commitment to accept a scholarship, starting next fall. Apparently hard work turned the decision.

“Marist was the one who recruited him the longest” shared Smith. “Coach Matt Brady was definitely the deciding factor. It got down to the overall program” being the determinant and Marist’s was deemed superior.

Expect Jayde Gavin, pictured here at his high school Bishop McNamara, to be one of the better players in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference this year.

Assistant coach Orlando ‘Bino’ Ranson was Jay’s primary recruiter, and undoubtedly played a significant role in the signing. Additionally, Smith relayed the presence of Gavin’s friends at Marist, specifically fellow former Baltimore Star (AAU) teammate Dejuan Goodwin – who is now redshirting – and 2007 classmate Jeremiah Bowman helped sway him to the school.

Smith has no qualms with her son’s decision. “As a mother, it wouldn’t have mattered where he would have gone…I’m just happy that he is happy” she said, though her family is glad the ordeal is over. “The recruiting process is a very stressful time. It’s a good time for us now”.

Gavin is a 6’2”, 195lb, fully NCAA qualified shooting guard who has always been capable of sinking outside shots, and this summer worked hard on his ball handling, defense, and athleticism. In fact, Smith commented her son has so embraced weightlifting that he has earned a desirable label. “The term the kids is use is diesel” she shared.

Marty Keithline, Gavin’s coach at Bishop McNamara High School in District Heights, MD has coached at the school for six years (four as the head coach), and predicts “Jay could be a combo guard” at Marist, and feels the young man will not have a problem adjusting to school and hoops at the school.

According to Keithline, Gavin “averaged about 11.5 points per game” for the McNamara Mustangs last season, and really increased his attractiveness to colleges this summer. “He had a great summer with the Baltimore Stars” provided Keithline, “and had a tremendous, tremendous Eastern Invitational Camp with us, where he made the Top 40 game, and did really well”.

Congratulations go out to Gavin, his family, Marist College, and Bishop McNamara High School. Jay will be added to the current list of 14 current basketball student athletes to have graduated from that school, and through his own hard work and perseverance, has earned an opportunity to play college ball.