Coming off a season in which you finished 29-2 overall should have Dayton fans excited. But one can see that this is a program looking for more than just a one-year wonder.
Head Coach Anthony Grant and his staff at Dayton have done a tremendous job so far, heading into his fourth year. They have continued to build a strong culture but one can also see that it is hitting a bigger spectrum now; it’s starting to build on the recruiting side and at a national level.
It has become evident especially with the impressive 2021 recruiting class they have been able to build so far. It started with guard Malachi Smith, who committed back in August. Then, they have recently added DaRon Holmes, a four-star prospect by 247Sports, and the 39th ranked prospect in the country. Shortly after that, a three-star small forward in Kaleb Washington, announced that he would be committing to the Flyers, giving Coach Grant an impressive class already, and more could continue to join.
Dayton now has a Top-25 ranked recruiting class in 2021, with their last two classes being ranked 105th in 2019 and 108th in 2020 (according to 247Sports).
In speaking with Peter Burtnett, the sports editor of the Flyer News Sports, it certainly seems that there is a lot of excitement around the program and students, as they are looking to be recognized with some of the best in the country.
“The excitement around recruiting is on par with what you see from Ohio State football fans,” Burtnett told Phenom Hoops. “You have fans waiting eagerly by their phones to see what the recruit will choose. And with the success that the team had last year, the excitement levels here for a rabid basketball fan base are off the charts.”
“In terms of what this could bring to the future for Dayton basketball, Coach Grant has laid the frameworks for Dayton to be on par with Gonzaga, a mid-major team consistently at the top of their conference. They had a 29-2 record last year, similar to what Gonzaga gets year after year. With two four-star recruits in the 2021 class and a three-star, along with a USC transfer in Elijah Weaver, a former four-star himself, the Flyers basketball program is in a really good spot, not just for this year but the future.”
Coach Grant has this Dayton program buzzing, hoping to continue to put the program in the national spotlight. And with the Flyers flying high, one may look back at this last year as the start of something special.