Just a shade over two weeks since he was re-offered by new basketball head coach Jerrod Calhoun, five-star recruit Kameron “Kam” Mercer has committed to play for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
On a day that began with a 6 a.m. workout, as he was going to miss practice at Princeton High School due to an Elite Youth Basketball League event out of town, Mercer committed to stay in town.
“I’m going to stay in hometown Cincinnati,” Mercer said. “Being able to be in this position means a lot to me.”
Mercer announced his intentions for UC at Princeton on a Zoom call that was aired on ESPN’s SportsCenter the afternoon of May 21. He will reclassify for the Class of 2027 and be available to Calhoun’s Bearcats staff in their second season.
“I’m looking forward to doubling up work and being ready,” Mercer said. “I’ll be supporting the Bearcats from the sideline.”
He immediately becomes the highest-rated recruit in the school’s history since rankings became public and commonplace. After helping the Princeton Vikings win a state title, Mercer is the highest-rated local talent to become a Bearcat since Mick Cronin recruited Yancy Gates from Withrow.
Mercer helped Princeton win a state title on March 22. One day later, Calhoun was announced as new UC Bearcats basketball coach and was introduced at Fifth Third Arena on March 25.
UC Bearcats’ road to Mercer
One of Calhoun’s first moves was to call Princeton coach Bryan Wyant.
“Do you think we have a chance with him?” Calhoun asked Wyant.
Mercer was actually first offered by UC, Wes Miller and assistant Andre Morgan when he was in eighth grade, but Wyant says Calhoun was the first Bearcats coach to call him in his 19 years of coaching high school ball in the area.
“They’re getting a professional,” Wyant said. “His professionalism is really unmatched, the way he goes about the game of basketball. They’re getting a guy that gives professional vibes that we haven’t seen in Cincinnati in a few years. He has a presence to him. He’s different for sure.”
What sold Mercer on Calhoun, Bearcats
As he mentioned just after his visit, Mercer was sold on Calhoun based on his film breakdown of his talents and his résumé.
“He’s won every place he’s ever been at,” Mercer said. “I love to win, if you know who I am. I have a gold medal (FIBA U16 AmeriCup) and a state championship. Winning is the number one thing for me, and Coach Calhoun has won at every job he’s been at. He’s going to be good at Cincinnati. We’re going to make the tournament again. We’re going to be back. Bearcats are back.”
Mercer’s numbers leading to UC
Mercer led the Princeton Vikings to a state crown as a sophomore, averaging 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game with 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per contest. Playing at Huntington Expression Prep in West Virginia as a freshman against older talent, he averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Mercer tops recruit rankings
Currently, he is listed as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Ohio for the Class of 2028, but he will be graduating in 2027. Those numbers could change, but for now his 247Sports composite rating is .9980.
The Nick Van Exels, Corie Blounts, Dontonio Wingfields and Danny Fortsons of yesteryear didn’t have the current rating system, but of those who did Mercer is UC’s top-rated recruit in history.
Other former UC Bearcats who are ranked below Princeton’s Mercer
Lance Stephenson – Five-star with a .9951 composite. Stephenson was a McDonald’s and Parade All-American and Big East Rookie of the Year in his one season at UC;
Shon Abaev – Four-star with a .9915 rating;
Jermaine Lawrence – Five-star with a .9878 rating;
Tyler Betsey – Four-star with a .9818 rating;
Zach Harvey – 4-star with a .9812 rating;
Jizzle James – 4-star with a .9758 rating.
If you’re looking ahead, Calhoun has also offered Josh Tyson of Lakota West, a four-star with a .9756 rating. Mercer says he’s been talking with him.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5-star recruit Kam Mercer of Princeton commits to Cincinnati Bearcats
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
