Bishop McNamara (MD) four-star center Favour Aire got a chance to reacclimate himself with his high school team as he reeled in 18 points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks in the 15-point win. The 6-foot-11, 215-pound center admitted he felt more comfortable as the game went on as Aire was no match on either end of the floor.
“I think it was getting the first game out of the way, playing with the guys. That’s good for morale that we got the game because they’re mostly freshmen and sophomores that played so it was a good win,” Aire told Inside the Black & Gold. “It felt good to just come out and play. It’s been a while since I’ve played, just felt good to come out and get a good win. I’m getting my feeling in the post better. Just getting that because I’m the biggest usually out there, getting my passes on point, just getting the overall feel back in the swing of the things.”
With summer league giving Aire the opportunity to improve ahead of the fall season, Aire has one simple goal this summer. “Prove that I belong on the court. That I’m the best player in the gym.”
Aire has already drawn that praise in the recruiting circuit with eleven verbal offers. June has allowed prospects to take in their own visits as Aire’s first stop took him to Georgetown last week.
“Great environment. Love coach [Patrick] Ewing, one of the greatest big man. I can learn a lot from him. He’s walked in the shoes that I’m trying to walk in and he’s a great guy too, great guy. That just really stuck out, I can learn a lot from him.” Aire delves into what saw during the visit. “He just showed the school, what they can do with me on the court and the development with past bigs and past players. Just showing why Georgetown is Georgetown.”
Aire will visit Rutgers on Wednesday while he and his coaches look to hash out the schedule for the remainder of his top schools. “I got some other stuff planned, like VCU and Virginia Tech then Maryland is one school.” The Hokies have drawn buzz within the DMV after hiring former DeMatha head coach Mike Jones, an aspect that Aire remembers for a different reason.
“I’ve seen him work when Hunter [Dickerson] was at DeMatha. He knows how to develop, how to use a big man and that’s a plus because I played against Hunter so I know what he can do, the development that comes with it. I talked to him a couple of days ago.”
Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon and assistant Matt Brady have led the pursuit from the Terps’ end as Aire looks to make a stop at the local school.
“I talk to a couple of coaches. We’re trying to plan something with my coach, I don’t know the specific details but we’re planning something.” Aire has a solid relationship with Brady as he looks ahead to getting to know assistant Danny Manning. “It’s good. We talk from time to time, checks on me. I’ve liked him through the recruiting process.”
While Aire has no commitment timeline in place, the style of play is an aspect he’s taking a close look at during each stop.
“They always explain the details all the way through so I usually get to understand how they play. And I watch the games too so I watch and see my own takes on how they play, see it for myself.”
Aire is rated a four-star prospect and a 94 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the nation’s ninth-best center.