It probably goes without saying, but the recruiting landscape is drastically different than it was pre-Covid. The introduction of NIL coupled with seemingly every player testing the portal has led to somewhat of an unpredictable situation. Not only has it become a more intense job for coaches, but there are more questions surrounding high school prospects than ever before. Regardless, these circumstances have benefitted several parties involved, including JUCOs and highly successful D2 and D3 programs. Among those, Hampden-Sydney has been one of the most vicious teams on the recruiting trail this season. Earlier this morning, Coach Kimbrough, Coach Gibson, and Coach Long secured yet another noteworthy commitment—this one coming from Santana Lynch.
We spoke to the 6-foot-5 Lynch about the Tigers and what led to his decision to further his playing career at Hampden Sydney. He states, “This was a tough decision and I just believed that this aligned more with my academic and athletic aspirations at this point in my life. Having facetime calls with the coaches and talking to them about things other than just basketball helped me build a strong relationship with the coaching staff. Going to play pickup with the guys and being around campus, I just felt a connection right when I got there that this is where I need to be and the program that can get me where I would like to be in the future.”
Despite receiving numerous opportunities to play at the next level, the smart, well-rounded wing prospect has all the tools to be an immediate contributor for the Tigers. Lynch is coming off a season where he shined as a focal point for Lake Norman, averaging 14.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, and 0.7 BPG while helping lead the Wildcats to the 4A NCHSAA Semifinal. He was the only player on the roster to rank within the top three of every statistical category. Due to his calm, steady demeanor it’s unclear if he ever got the appropriate amount of attention from the average bystander. Additionally, the way he’s developed from a shooter into an all-around player over the recent years has been nothing short of impressive. For a program that just made it to the championship (after dominating all season long), Hampden-Sydney continues to position themselves for success.