At long last, Scotland Campus forward Jayson Woodrich has committed to Cleveland State.
The hot-shooting 6-foot-7 Woodrich, who averaged 18 points and nine rebounds per game for the 40-4 Knights this season, had recently narrowed his choices down to Cleveland State and Iona College (NY).
While Cleveland State has had the upper hand in Woodrich’s recruitment throughout, Iona suddenly became an intriguing choice with hiring of legendary NCAA head coach Rick Pitino.
A native of Beachwood, Ohio, Woodrich cited location and his ties to the Cleveland State coaching staff as determining factors in his decision.
“Playing for a hometown program has always been a dream of mine,” explained Woodrich, who also garnered offers from St. Louis, Stony Brook, Manhattan College, Fairfield, and Bryant in his post graduate season at Scotland.
“I love what coach (Dennis) Gates and coach (Dru) Joyce are doing with the program. I want to be part of their success moving forward.”
A floor spreader who fires in 3-pointers from NBA range, Woodrich was a revelation as an elite level shot-maker this season.
The Class of 2020 product averaged 27 PPG and connected on 13 3-pointers in two games during the prestigious Prep National Showcase in New Haven, Conn., back in November.
Woodrich went 6-for-6 from 3-point territory during a win over Capital Christian (MD) and pioneered Scotland’s scoring onslaught with a team-best 22 points in a thorough 101-69 trouncing of The Patrick School during the 2020 GAC championship.
Scotland Campus head coach Chris Chaney said it was Woodrich’s development and emergence an all around player that he was most impressed with.
“Jayson was exactly the type of player we love at Scotland Campus,” explained Chaney, whose team garnered a berth in the Prep National tournament for the third consecutive season.
“He was a great teammate, competitor, had a good work ethic and could really play in the big moments. He did a lot for us with his shooting and scoring, but he became better off the dribble and made the right plays at the right time. He learned to be tougher on defense and with his length will be an all around good player in college.
Having secured his commitment, Woodrich is now the fourth player to decide on a future hardwood home. He joins Darlinstone Dubar (Iowa State), Noble Crawford (LIU-Brooklyn), and Gerald Jarmon. Several of Woodrich’s teammates, including highly touted prospects such as 6-foot-9 Abou Ousmane and 6-foot-3 Norrance Tres Berry, are currently weighing options.
