7/14/2017 basketball Edit

Q&A with the top player in 2018 Marvin Bagley

Staff

Krysten is a former DII basketball player but sometimes tells top recruits she played at UConn to see the look on their face. She's also completed a marathon on every continent (yes, even Antarctica).

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - The number one player in the country Marvin Bagley has some official visits set and played in front of NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant on day 2 of the Peach Jam. Rivals.com caught up with the five-star forward to get the latest.

I know you’re used to a lot of big-time coaches watching you play, but what was it like to see Kevin Durant sitting there?

It was weird at first because I watch KD all the time. I was actually at one of the Finals game in Cleveland. I was sitting there watching him play and now here he is, sitting at one of my games watching me play. It’s a weird feeling but we played hard and I hope he enjoyed watching even though we beat his team (MOKAN Elite).

What’s been your approach mentally heading into Peach Jam?

This is the best of the best out here and I expect everyone to come at me every time I step on the court and I’m going to do the same thing. I’m just making sure I’m ready for that and working hard every game to get better and stay on top of my game.

I know you have a top six of Arizona, Duke, USC, UCLA, Kansas and Kentucky. Who are some of the schools that have been calling you the most?

I talk to all the schools on my list. They text me every now and then just staying in touch and wishing me well on holidays and such. They all talk to my dad a lot, so I’m just enjoying the process and taking it one day at a time.

I heard you were heading to Duke after Peach Jam for a visit. Is that still on?

Yes. After the Peach Jam is over I’m going to take my visit to Duke and just see a little bit more of the school. I’ve been there before, but I really didn’t see a lot of it so this time hopefully I can get a better idea of the school and program as a whole.

Any other schools you know you’re going to get to for official visits?

Arizona and USC.

Have you locked in dates for the USC or Arizona visits yet?

No not yet. Those schools are closer to home and it’ll be easier to plan visits once the AAU season is over.

Is there anything behind the Duke visit being first?

Not really. We just set it up because I’m on this side of the country right now and it’s easier that way.

Any plans to visit Kentucky?

Yes. I’ll get there eventually but I want to get these first three visits done first.

What’s important to you when you think about choosing a college and a basketball program?

I just want to get better. You can have all the talent in the world but I want to grow as a person and just be around great people. I want to be in a team environment that’s going to help me and push me to the next level. I'm really, really excited for this college thing. Wherever I go is going to be a blessing.

Are you paying any attention to other players that are committing to your top schools and seeing how the classes develop?

I’ve noticed when other players commit, but it’s not going to sway my decision one way or another. At the end of the day, I’m going to do what’s best for me and my family. I don’t really focus on what other people are doing.

You’ve said before that you want to enjoy the whole recruiting process. Are you enjoying it?

Oh yeah. Not a lot of kids get to experience what I’m going through right now. They don’t get to talk to some of the best college coaches in the country, have them sit courtside at their games, and then get to visit these great campuses. I’m just blessed and I thank God everyday for the opportunity.