Flyers solidify backcourt in recruiting

University of Dayton basketball coach Archie Miller has been looking to build some depth in the backcourt through recruiting, and he’s not only succeeded in beefing up the numbers at guard, but has landed a pair of top-150 senior prospects nationally.

Kyle Davis, a 6-1 combo guard from Chicago, and Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, a 6-2 point guard from the Bronx, have made verbal commitments to UD in the last month. It’s the first time the Flyers have landed two players in the same class in the top-150 since recruiting rankings began online in the 1990s.

Those two will give the Flyers five legitimate guards in 2013-14 along with Ohio State transfer Jordan Sibert, Georgetown transfer Vee Sanford and freshman Khari Price of Louisiana.

“I really like the way they’ve got themselves set up,” Scout.com recruiting analyst Brian Snow said. “They’ll have those two kids as freshmen and Jordan Sibert as a junior. I know they like Vee Sanford. He’ll be a senior. You’re looking at a very good backcourt and a versatile and athletic backcourt.

“You have to be impressed with what Archie has done given the fact that six months ago they had two kids in the backcourt in the entire program (Sanford and senior point guard Kevin Dillard). To build up depth, athleticism and talent in that short of time is a very impressive thing.”

Smith committed last week, picking the Flyers over offers from Illinois, Providence and Duquesne.

He played for Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut last season, moving from New York when his high school closed.

He’s got that New York City toughness, according to his AAU coach, Shandue McNeill, along with something else: “The one difference that separates Scoochie from a typical New York City guard is he can shoot the ball. He’s can makes shots and make them at a high rate.”

Snow said Smith also has some swagger that’s not uncommon among players from the Big Apple.

“These kids have been playing in big games — whether it’s in the park, or AAU or high school — since they were like 8 years old. No stage ever gets too big for them,” Snow said. “That’s one thing I do think translates, this internal confidence that you have to have to be a point guard in New York City.”

The Flyers have two scholarships left to give in the 2013 class. They’re pursuing 6-6 wing Kendall Pollard of Chicago, who has already made an official visit to UD and reportedly is visiting Rhode Island this weekend. He also has offers from Colorado State, Tulsa and Virginia Tech.

The Flyers likely will hold at least one of their scholarships to look for developing players during the high school season.

“I think me and Kyle Davis will complement each other, and we’re looking forward to trying to sign Kendall Pollard so he can play on the wing with us and we can have a good freshman class,” Smith said. “I think we have him sold.”

Baseball: The Flyers will hold their 11th-annual golf outing Friday at Heatherwoode G.C. in Springboro. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start an hour later. The registration fee is $100, and lunch and dinner will be provided.

The UD baseball team won the Atlantic 10 regular-season crown last year and will receive their title rings at dinner.

Basketball: Former Flyer Chris Johnson was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers but was immediately signed by the Orlando Magic, his hometown team. He's one of 20 players trying to make the 15-player roster.

Guard Brian Roberts, another ex-Flyer, got off to a good start in his bid to make the New Orleans Hornets. He had 17 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and no turnovers in 27 minutes during an 85-80 win over the Magic in Mexico City on Sunday.

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