5-star SG Jalil Bethea talks Miami and other finalists ahead of Wednesday commitment: “I feel like it came down to who I trusted more”
One of the top basketball prospects in the 2024 class is set to come off the board tomorrow afternoon as Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood five-star shooting guard Jalil Bethea is set to announce his commitment. The No. 6 overall prospect in the 2024 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking will be choosing between three programs: Kansas, Villanova, and Miami.
“I’ve been feeling like this decision is going to take a lot of weight off my shoulders, and I’ll be able to just play basketball,” Bethea told CaneSport. “I won’t have to worry about recruiting anymore, and I’ll just be able to play.”
After taking an official visit to all three of his finalists, the most recent being a Sept. 9 weekend visit to Miami, the 6-foot-4, 170-pounder has made his decision and knows where he will be playing his collegiate hoops next season.
“Yes, I do,” Bethea said when asked if he knew which program would receive his pledge Wednesday afternoon. “I feel like it came down to who I trusted more. The school that I’m going to announce tomorrow, I feel like is the best school for me and the school that fits me. I feel like it’s the school that I have the best relationship with, and somewhere I feel like I can go and prove my game and get closer to my goal, which is going pro.”
Bethea on his three finalists
Kansas
“Kansas is a great school, and coach Bill Self is a heck of a coach. One of the best coaches in college basketball history. Kansas is great, and I have a great relationship with all of them. They play very fast, scrappy, and they get at it.”
Villanova
“Villanova has been a school I’ve been looking up to for a while because I’m from the area. That’s the school to go to if you’re from Philadelphia. I have a great relationship with Villanova too, and there are a lot of familiar faces. Just local all around.”
Miami
“Miami has a great environment. Great coaches and great players. The style of play fits me, and coach DJ (Irving) was my top recruiter there. He’s been there from the start. From Team Final days and all that.”
As for Bethea’s last two official visits that he had planned with Syracuse and Alabama, those will not be happening as he plans to shut down his recruitment following his commitment.
“No,” Bethea said when asked if he planned on taking any more official visits. “I’m done.”
CaneSport’s take
Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga and his staff are hoping to go 2-for-2 after receiving a commitment from Minneapolis (Minn.) Totino-Grace four-star small forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, who was also in Miami for an official weekend on Sept. 9. Since leaving South Florida, the Hurricanes have gained momentum with Bethea, and they will soon know whether they have landed the highest commit in program history.
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