One of prep basketball’s biggest stock risers for the 2017-2018 season officially came off the board today, as Trey McGowens committed to Pittsburgh. McGowens, a 6’3″ point guard from Piedmont, SC starred for Hargrave Military Academy this season, helping lead the team to a 33-4 record and a #4 national ranking in the final poll of the season. McGowens jump-started his campaign and sent his recruiting into another stratosphere with a season-opening 30 points in a sold-out scrimmage against Oak Hill in October and never looked back. McGowens continued his high level play throughout the season, finishing with gaudy averages of 18.4 points, 6.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game.
“Trey is a rare breed these days in the basketball world,” commented Head Coach Lee Martin. “He improved by leaps and bounds this season as a player, and his recruitment reflected the tremendous effort he put in. Beyond just basketball, Trey is one of the nicest young men you will meet and puts the same effort into his schoolwork as he does to his basketball game. He is truly a special talent, and I know Coach Capel will love coaching him for years to come.”
McGowens came to Hargrave for his senior season after attending Wren High School in South Carolina. In his Junior season, he helped his team reach the AAAA state championship game, he was named All-State by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association and was named the Region 1 AAAA player of the year by The Independant Mail.
McGowens’ strong play at Hargrave caught the attention of college coaches, scouts and other prep programs at every turn this season, and his highlight reel finishes were fan favorites on social media. Trey came into the season unranked by any major recruiting outlet, but ended the season ranked #75 by Rivals and #88 by 247 sports. Trey’s offer list grew almost daily, as he secured over 40 Division 1 offers, including heavy hitters like Kansas State, Wake Forest, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Providence, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and many more. Trey chose Pittsburgh after a campus visit with new Head Coach Jeff Capel, after narrowing down his list to a final five of Pittsburgh, Clemson, St. Johns, Minnesota and Ole Miss.
