Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.) small forward Marial Shayok announced this evening that he has verbally committed to the University of Virginia. The 6’7″, 200-pound prospect becomes the fourth member of UVa men’s basketball’s class of 2014, joining Westlake (Auckland, New Zealand) center Jack Salt, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA) shooting guard/small forward B.J. Stith and Greater Atlanta Christian (Atlanta, GA) forward Isaiah Wilkins.
Happy to announce I've committed to the University of Virginia!
— Marial Shayok (@MarialShayok) April 23, 2014
Shayok originally signed a letter of intent with Marquette in November of 2013, considering Virginia strongly – he took an official visit to Charlottesville – before going with the Golden Eagles. He asked for and received a release from the LOI following the departure of Buzz Williams, who left Marquette for Virginia Tech. Shayok considered scholarship offers from Indiana, Marquette and Michigan before announcing his commitment to the Cavaliers.
The Spring Signing Period for Division 1 men’s basketball is now underway, meaning Shayok can sign a letter of intent with Virginia at any time. The Signing Period ends on May 21.
Known for his athleticism and versatility, Shayok averaged 15 points, six rebounds and three assists per game as a senior, helping Blair Academy to a NJISAA Prep A Tournament championship. The consensus 3-star prospect was named 2013/2014 Prep Player of the Year by the New Jersey Star Ledger.
Shayok has guarded the one through five positions on the high school level, and his versatility on the defensive end should prove valuable on the major college level. Offensively, he “is really athletic and he has got a great skill-set. He can get to the basket. He can create his own shot, but he’s also an excellent passer,” Blair Academy head coach Joe Mantegna said of Shayok in an interview with TheSabre.com last August.
An intriguing aspect of Shayok is that he may not be finished growing just yet.
“His brother is 6’8″ and his father is 6’10″, and they both grew during their college years,” Mantegna said.
Shayok’s father played college basketball at Dayton before moving on to a professional career overseas. His brother plays for the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
With Shayok in the fold, Virginia has one scholarship left to give for the upcoming season. As of this writing the Cavaliers are still in the running for Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) point guard Devonte Graham as well as Ukrainian shooting guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. Graham took an official visit to Kansas this past weekend and arrived at NC State for an official beginning Monday, April 21.
who is the school on his recruiting card that is blank? Florida?