MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Heading into their senior seasons, University High guard duo Kaden Metheny and KJ McClurg are picking up momentum on the recruiting trail.
After helping the Hawks claim their first state championship in school history in March, Metheny and McClurg now have the attention of the entire state as two of the best players in West Virginia, and college coaches are also beginning to take notice.
While Metheny, a point guard, was offered his first Division-I scholarship following his freshman year by Drexel, McClurg, a shooting guard, finally got his Thursday when Niagara University extended an offer.
Niagara is coached by former WVU guard Patrick Beilein, the son of former WVU and current Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Beilein.
“It was an amazing feeling, one I will never forget,” McClurg said. “Coach Beilein and I talked and he had nothing but great things to say.”
Beilein also offered Metheny on Thursday during McClurg’s and Metheny’s AAU showcase in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with Big Shots BigShots Elite West Virginia. The summer AAU circuit is critical to under-recruited — fair or not — prospects, so it’s a time to show coaching staffs what they can bring to the table.
“It helps us tremendously,” Metheny said. “It gives us an opportunity to play in front of college coaches.”
McClurg agreed, since Beilein was one of the coaches in attendance.
“You have to go out and play your hardest and leave everything on the court because you never know who’s watching.”
Metheny scored 72 points in two games to open the Myrtle Beach Live showcase, while McClurg added 41 points.
UHS coach Joe Schmidle also took the Hawks to showcases in Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh during the three-week summer workout period, and more interest began to mount for both McClurg and Metheny.
As of now, Metheny holds offers from Drexel — coached by Morgantown High graduate Zach Spiker — Western Carolina, Youngstown State, Penn, Niagara, Lafayette, Rhode Island and James Madison.
McClurg has a host of Division II offers from West Liberty, West Virginia Wesleyan, Alderson Broaddus and Chowan.
McClurg said he will wait until AAU is finished before making his decision, while Metheny hopes to have a decision made prior to December.
“My family and I want to make a decision before the basketball season starts after my official visits,” he said. “I want my full focus on the high school team and trying to win another state championship with my brothers.”
