Kevion Nolan makes the call for Samford
Over the past few years, 2017 Anniston (AL) Sacred Heart shooting guard Kevion Nolan has developed a reputation as one of the top shooters in the Southeast. Friday evening, he ended his recruitment and opted for in-state Samford during an official visit.
"I just felt like Samford was the right place to be and it was best for my future," Nolan told HoopSeen.com. "The education is great and Samford is an up-and-coming program."
If you saw Samford head coach Scott Padgett during the July recruiting period, there's a pretty good chance he was watching Nolan and the Alabama Challenge. Padgett and his staff identified Nolan as their top (and only) priority in the 2017 recruiting cycle. During his games, there was at least one Bulldog coach present, and it was usually Padgett. That loyalty and high interest paid off for Samford.
"The coaches let me know I was someone they needed, and that made a huge difference. They made me a priority and that was huge for me. They had a coach at every live period game. The coaches and team really treated me like family. The relationship that I created with every coach on the coaching staff was like no other."
A true sniper on the perimeter, Nolan will help spread the floor and be a huge threat from the outside for the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-1 sharpshooter was one of the top shooters on the EYBL circuit this year, finishing as one of the top players in three-pointers made. Nolan's ball-handling and high IQ will also aid Samford on the perimeter. With Alabama transfer Justin Coleman becoming eligible next season, as well as current freshman Triston Chambers on the perimeter, the Bulldogs will have several talented in-state shooters to go around.
Nolan chose Samford over scholarship offers from Austin Peay, Jacksonville, and UC-Santa Barbara. He is the first pledge for Padgett and his staff in the 2017 recruiting class.