Javon Levi is Valley bound, commits to UTRGV
Javon Levi made the call to end his recruitment on Thursday (Oct. 27) by announcing his commitment to UT-Rio Grande Valley. Levi, the No.18 ranked prospect in the class of 2017, shared his decision to join the Vaqueros via his personal Twitter. After committing, Levi talked with TexasHoops.com's Lyndon Cook about his choice and future in Edinburg.
"(UTRGV) has a good family atmosphere," Levi said. "I felt like it can set me up pretty well to play professionally after I'm done with college ball. It's a good opportunity to be apart of something new and help put them on the map. I feel like the coaching staff is really gonna change it around and they have a great vision for the program."
Levi had also received offers from North Texas and Texas State to go with the one from UTRGV, but ultimately decided to join up with head coach Lew Hill and the Vaqueros.
The Killeen Shoemaker standout plans to major in Kinesiology, and had this to say when asked about his possible role next year:
"I just want to be a great point guard and help make the people around me better," Levi said. "My goal is to get people in the right spots and get them the ball where they're best at."
Levi shared the high expectations he has for himself and his game at the next level with TexasHoops.com, saying:
"I think just my knowledge of the game and my defense would immediately transfer to the next level along with my playmaking."
When asked what he needs to work on, Levi said, "I think I need to work on crafting my offensive game more."
Head Shoemaker coach Emund Pritchett has seen his point guard mature on the court over the past year and says that Levi will be the focal point of the team. Pritchett also says what keeps Levi in a different category than most is his ability to defend.
"Levi can pick up 94-feet, and he knows when the tone is set on defense, the offense explodes. Last season Javon averaged about 10 points per game while playing 25 minutes. He will be asked to do more scoring which comes natural, but we don't have the depth that we did last year to rotate players in and out, so he will have to play the entire game most nights.
"Javon is a great leader, and he is showing the younger players with less experience how to lead."
Travel coach Ervin "Big E" Davis of Dallas Showtyme has seen and coached his share of guards over the past 15 years and he says that Levi is among the best one.
"I'm not going to say that he is better than Marquez Haynes, but Javon is pretty darn close." Said Davis.
"[Javon] is special. There aren't many players who can score, defend and compete the way he can. He has unbelievable leadership skills and has the ability for a team to come together," concluded Davis.
The question circulating throughout the state is what is making Texas Rio Grande Valley a place where kids want to be? Davis thinks he might have a clue as to why.
"(Head coach) Lew [Hill] is bringing some swag and a new culture. You have a sense that something big is going to take place in [Edinburg]."