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High-scoring guard commits to UD

Lafayette, Ind., guard Jesse Berry averaged 27.3 points per game as a junior; third in Flyers’ 2010 class.

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 3:07 AM Thursday, July 2, 2009

DAYTON — Standout guard Jesse Berry has been fielding recruiting calls for months from colleges, including some from big-time programs such as Kentucky, and he’s become pretty adept at figuring out which schools considered him a high priority.

“I could pick which ones were real serious and which ones really weren’t. Dayton was one of those serious schools that really wanted me and liked me,” he said.

“Some schools you talk to, you only talk to the assistant. I talked to the head coach (at Dayton) all the time. I just liked that we have a player-coach relationship that’s really good.”

Berry will have a chance in the coming years to build on that rapport with UD coach Brian Gregory. The 6-foot-1 senior-to-be from Lafayette (Ind.) Jefferson High School gave the Flyers a verbal commitment Tuesday night, June 30, after visiting last weekend, picking them over offers from Cincinnati, Butler and Ball State.

The second-leading high school scorer in Indiana last year with a 27.3 average, Berry also was recruited by Arizona and Xavier.

“When I talked to him and his mom after they visited, they were really, really positive. They saw no negatives,” Lafayette Jefferson coach Scot Bunnell said. “They said it felt right.

“They feel like (UD) did the best job recruiting him. They’ve been really honest and upfront with him. He feels really wanted by them. His recruiting was all over the board, and Dayton really showed Jesse he was their No. 1 target.”

Berry, who joins point guard Juwan Staten and forward Ralph Hill in the Flyers’ 2010 class, topped the 40-point mark six times last season, including a single-game school-record of 55.

“I’m relieved the recruiting process is over,” Berry said. “I can chill. My phone will stop blowing up. I’m relaxed and feeling good.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125  or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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