by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
All of the speculation and rumors are over.
John Marshall’s basketball star Travis McKie is staying put.
The 6-6 rising junior had been considering transferring to private power Benedictine, but after sitting down with his family he decided to stay at JM.
“I’m happy to be staying,” McKie said Tuesday evening from the Tri-City Summer League at George Wythe. “Me and my mom [Renee Smith] sat down and thought about it and this is the best place for me to be to grow as a student-athlete.”
Benedictine’s biggest draw was a schedule with more games than JM with national opponents. Former Benedictine star Ed Davis, who transferred from Hanover two years ago to the Cadets, called McKie just about every day with his recruiting pitch.
“I was just exploring my options,” McKie said of Benedictine. “Ed talked to me everyday. They play a national schedule. Coach [Sean] McAloon is a great coach.”
McKie, just like Davis was a couple of years ago, is a national prospect already.
The whole Atlantic Coast Conference, except for Florida State, is courting him. Georgetown, Florida, Notre Dame and Texas, among others, are watching him.
His grades are a great part of the package as McKie is a 3.6 student.
Now that JM’s MVP is back for sure, the Justices are the favorite to repeat as Central Region champion.
McKie and second-leading scorer Maurice Johnson, also a junior, are back. Randall Ward is a senior and will run the point.
Randall Braxton and Ernest Brown return to form a strong supporting class.
Leaders Devon Thornton, Aaron Farrar and top bench man Aaron Brockington will be missed, but JV graduates should be able to help Ward on the perimeter.
“I have big expectations,” McKie said. “I’m trying to get that state championship ring.”
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