Shadow Mountain PG Marcus Shaver commits to UC Santa Barbara
Richard Obert
Marcus Shaver left Arizona once already to find a prep school. That didn't work out well.
He didn't want to make the same mistake in his search for a college to play basketball.
After careful consideration, the Phoenix Shadow Mountain senior point guard said he has committed to UC Santa Barbara.
He will sign his letter of intent in November.
Shaver is making his return to the Valley for his final high school season after leaving Phoenix St. Mary's in 2015, once his sophomore season ended.
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After the 6-foot-1, cat-quick guard averaged 23 points for the Knights his sophomore year, he took the prep academy route in Dallas, joining Prime Time, which closed in January due to financial problems.
He then went to Advance Prep International, which also was being scrutinized.
"I didn't want to make the same mistakes as I did in choosing a high school," Shaver wrote in an email. "As I started to take unofficial visits, I was able to visit a variety of situations on different coasts to give me an idea of where I wanted to be.
"I took a visit to UCSB last week with my family. Known for its education, this was very appealing to me. I was amazed at first glance with the campus as well as the weather. And upon meeting the coaching staff and players, it became clear it was a good fit."
Shaver weighed the pros and cons with his parents over two days before waking up Wednesday and realizing this was where he wanted to be.
MORE: Complete high school recruiting coverage
"When I woke up Wednesday morning, the first words out of my mouth was that I was going to commit," he said. "Brandon Davis, a guard out of California who also plays for Earl Watson Elite, had just committed there. We played together in the Fab 48 this past July. Earl Watson Elite won the Fab 48 in the invitational division. Playing with the right guard in college was very important to me. We work well together. That was another factor for me."
Shaver should benefit from a season playing for Mike Bibby, who has coached Shadow Mountain to two state championships in three years.
Shaver figures to slide into the role left by Bibby's son, Michael, azcentral sports' Big Schools Player of the Year last season, who is now at South Florida to begin his college career.
Shadow Mountain should have another team capable of winning it all with guards Jaelen House and Javon Blacksher back after playing quality varsity minutes as freshmen. Shadow Mountain also returns wing Darion Spottsville, a dual-threat quarterback on the football team, who will be trying to get his third championship ring.
"I haven't gotten to see him play but if he's as good as his demeanor in the way he conducts himself on campus, then we're going to have a lot of fun on the court with him," Shadow Mountain assistant coach Mike Warren said. "Very polite kid that makes a very good first impression."
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.Listen to Richard Obert with Dan Manucci on the Which Wich Arizona High School Football Preview Show on Friday night 6-7 on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060.