Ike Cornish moved down to South Carolina and blasted up the national rankings finishing his junior season ranked 75th in the nation by 247sports. The 6'6' wing is a shot maker, especially from deep. He has long arms with a repeatable and soft release from range.
This past season Cornish moved from Dulaney High School, in Baltimore County Maryland, to Legacy Early College, in Greenville, South Carolina where everything took off for him, and Cornish quickly made his mark on the Legacy Early College staff, Assistant Coach Jeff Merritt said of Cornish, 'Ike is a dynamic 3-level scorer who will continue to grow as he fills out his frame. He is a relentless gym rat with a work ethic that helped him make one of the largest jumps in the national rankings in the 2021 class. Off the floor, he is a first-class kid from a great, and humble family. Also, he is a joy to coach. If he can continue to work hard and continue to add strength (he put on 15 pounds just this season) he will become dominant.'
After cutting his list down to a final 8, our Jamie Shaw was able to catch up with Cornish to see what stands out and why South Carolina brought out the best in him …
PHR: Obviously you made a big move this past year, transferring down to Legacy Early College in South Carolina. How would you say that move went for you' What was the adjustment like to the pace of life in South Carolina'
Cornish: I would say the move went well and was very productive for the development part of my game and the maturity part because I was living on my own and getting in the gym on my own time. I actually thought it would be a little rough to adjust but I came in as a scorer so I didn’t need to change any part in my role, so I just fit right in with my team.
PHR: You just released your final 8 in your recruitment. Let's go through each school and talk about why they made your list…'
Xavier: 'I love them, after the first time the came and saw me they stayed in contact a lot ever since. They treat me like family'
Georgetown: 'They were recruiting me back in 9th grade, but not to heavy. Then they saw me this year and they offered, then stayed in touch. They want me to come visit soon.'
Maryland: 'They have been on me pretty heavy after a big game in Delaware. That's the hometown, they have invited me to a lot of games over time and I just love the coaching staff and the atmosphere of their games.'
Virginia Tech: ' They were recruiting me back when I was at Dulaney, and they loved my game. But when I transferred to Legacy they saw me play a better schedule and that's really what they wanted to see from me. If I could do well on that level, and they liked what they saw.'
Depaul: ' They saw me play at the Team Durant camp and the Chick Fil A Classic and loved what they saw. They want me to come meet the entire coaching staff as soon as I can get on campus.'
Clemson: 'They actually have a coach from Quinnipiac who was recruiting my brother Josh Cornish. I went with my brother on an unofficial visit and that's when I first met him, 7th or 8th grade. Now, since I moved to South Carolina, he got in touch with me more and was able to come to my practices and games and liked what he saw. He stays in touch with my family often.'
George Washington: 'They were one of my first offers, who took me serious as a prospect and recruited me heavy. I took an unofficial visit and loved it, love the city around me and everything about it was great.'
VCU: 'They have been recruiting me for a little while now, and actually offered me months ago. They told me 'we're not the type of school to just blow your phone up all the time, we're going to recruit you hard, without being annoying.' I respected that and liked it, so every time they talk to me, they mean what they say.'
PHR: Just a few more questions to put a bow on this interview. Overall, with this final 8, what will you be looking for in your final school or program'
Cornish: I'm really just looking for the coaching staff to just appreciate me and be able to use me when I get to the school. Also, treating me like family is big for me.
PHR: What are your next steps…obviously you can't take visits, etc…right now so how do you move forward with the process''
Cornish: Of course when this virus clears up, I'm going to take some official visits. Not sure when that will be, but that's really it. Then will sit down with the family and talk it through.
