DeMatha (MD) four-star small forward Tyrell Ward took in his first summer league game on Tuesday as he dropped 14 points and five rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting as the Stags cruised to a 26-point win. It was seemingly over before it started as Ward slashed through the lane to create his own shots, sending the starters to the bench early as Ward was productive in his 18 minutes.
“We did pretty good. We were unselfish and just played really good defense,” Ward told Inside the Black & Gold following the win. “Just the way I play on the open floor. When I get out there, I feel like I can show my true talent. I feel like the younger guys can just follow my lead. The more I grow, the more they can grow on and off the floor.”
Ward’s skillset as a slashing forward sticks out on the recruiting trail as he sifts through his double-digit offer sheet. George Mason, Georgetown, Georgia, Indiana, and Virginia Tech have all extended offers to the 6-foot-7, 185-pound four-star but he took his first official visit to LSU over the weekend as the Tigers and head coach Will Wade left a noticeable impression.
“It was pretty good. I really liked the vibe down there, it’s a great opportunity. Got to spend time with the coaches, got to spend time with the players and watch their early morning workouts so it was really good. I would say they answered everything that I wanted.” What was the main message from the Tigers?
“Just how I would fit into their system. I feel like I can go in and compliment the other guys. He doesn’t want his guys to be there very long. He’s recruiting guys to get to the next level.”
His first visit this month was to the hometown school when he made the one-mile drive to Maryland to connect with head coach Mark Turgeon and lead recruiter Danny Manning. “It’s just a great visit. There’s nothing much that I can really say but they got the pitch to stay home. Nobody else can say that.” While the Terps are desperately trying to break into DeMatha, Ward explained the Terps’ pitch beyond the ‘stay home movement.’
“It’s a lot like LSU, just come in and be an impact player and show out.” Ward has enjoyed his growing relationship with Manning as the two sides have gotten to know each other. “It’s pretty good. I try and take in everything that he says that he teaches me because he was a number one overall draft pick. Just soak it all in, honestly.”
Ward also took in an unofficial visit to Virginia Tech last week, but the trio of visits maybe it for him until later this summer. “I’m not taking any more visits until after AAU.” Ward released a top eight in late May with Georgetown, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Xavier making the cut. While Ward isn’t holding himself to a specific commitment timeline, he’ll trim his list to five “definitely before senior year.”
Ward is rated a four-star prospect and a 90 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the fourth-best prospect in Maryland.
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