The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE top high school basketball recruit for the class of 2017 has a much anticipated decision to make on his NCAA path, but Bahamian DeAndre Ayton is making headlines this fall as he looks to transfer to a new high school.

Ayton has attended the Balboa City School in San Diego, California, since he left the Bahamas just over three years ago to complete his education and compete against better basketball talent.

At Balboa City, he rose to national prominence and was evaluated as one of the top ranked players in his class by ESPN, Scout, Rivals and several other services.

Ayton, his family and a close circle are currently in the midst of a search for a new school for the 7’0” 220-pound frontcourt player after he left Balboa City last week. A decision is expected to come at some point this week.

In his inaugural season with the Balboa City School Force in San Diego, California, Ayton averaged 21.1 points, 16 rebounds and 3.8 blocked shots per game. He went on to finish with double doubles in 21 of his 22 regular season games.

Thus far, he has received official offers from the University of Kentucky, the University of Arizona and San Diego State University. He is considered the top high school player in the United States, irrespective of class, despite the fact that he will enter the 11th grade this fall.

His stops on the grassroots summer basketball circuit included appearances at the Nike Peach Jam, Fab 48 tournament and the Lebron James Skills Academy, but was highlighted right at home during the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder in 2014.

He finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds to lead the locally-based Providence Storms to a shocking 84-83 win over the then AP No. 19 ranked University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

He missed much of the season due to a lingering foot injury but was still recognised as one of the top sophomores in America when he was named to the MaxPreps 2014-15 Sophomore All-American First-Team.

This summer, Ayton was one of 24 players named to the roster to compete at the Under Armour Elite 24 All-Star Game in Brooklyn, New York.

The Under-Armour Elite 24 has quickly become one of the premier events during the summer as the bidding war between major shoe companies heats up in an attempt to claim top college prospects and was televised live on ESPN.