Hyland’s Recruitment Picking Up

New England Recruiting Report | Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Known primarily for his lethal shooting touch and legendary 5am workouts, Keegan Hyland had already acquired quite a bit of recruiting attention heading into this spring’s AAU season with a variety of schools from the America East, Patriot League, and Ivy League all showing serious interest. 

He’s continued to impress over the last three months as he’s put up big scoring numbers and proven himself to be more than just a catch and shoot specialist.  His passing ability may be the most underestimated part of his game, but he’s also got some deceptive athleticism, gets to the rim and finds other ways to score, and in general has a high understanding of the game. 

Although division I coaches haven’t been allowed in the gym this AAU season, reports of Hyland’s success have begun to make their way back to them, and Hyland’s recruitment has picked up because of it. 

“I’ve been hearing from Rhode Island, LaSalle, and Fordham a lot lately,” he told the New England Recruiting Report.  “Temple a little bit as well but not as much as the other three.” 

Fordham is the only one of the four Atlantic 10 schools to offer thus far joining Princeton, Maine, Sacred Heart, William & Mary, Boston University, and Holy Cross. 

“A lot of them [the Atlantic 10 Schools] have showed a lot of interest but want to follow me in July before offering,” he said. 

Last weekend, Hyland took an unofficial visit to the University of Rhode Island on his way home from the Rumble in the Bronx.   

“They would be my favorite right now.  The facilities were real nice, I met some of the guys and they were real cool, plus my dad and Coach Baron go way back from New York,” he said.  “They had a really good shooter there last year, so that’s a role they’re looking to fill.”  

Hyland has also taken an unofficial visit to Fordham and noted that the Rams sparked his interest because they were the first Atlantic 10 School to offer. 

In addition to being the state of Maine’s top basketball talent, Hyland is also an excellent student. 

“Princeton is my top Ivy League school,” he said.  “I’m not sure if that [going to the Ivy League] is something I want to do, but I’m keeping it in the picture.”

Other schools Hyland noted in particular were William & Mary who he hopes to visit soon after hearing a lot of good things about them and Holy Cross who he said was high on his list before head coach Ralph Willard recently departed to join Rick Pitino’s staff at Louisville. 

Ultimately, the sharp-shooter is looking to play out the month of July and then make a decision before the beginning of his senior season. 

“I want to see what happens after July – see if any of the high majors come calling, then take my officials in the fall, and hopefully commit before my high school season begins.”