Ayers Drops In On 2020 Ohio PG
The Notre Dame men’s basketball program isn’t quite finished with its 2018 recruiting class, but the Irish haven’t just started turning their focus to 2019, they’re actually keeping a close eye on 2020 prospects already, which is why assistant Ryan Ayers was back in his homestate on Wednesday.
Ayers was at Dublin Coffman High School watching 2020 Ohio point guard Dominiq Penn work out.
“It feels pretty good,” the 6-foot, 160-pound sophomore said of having Ayers check him out. “It makes me humbled. I’m humbled by it and it motivates me to keep working hard. I love it.”
Penn has early offers from Duquesne, Kent State and Stony Brook.
“I’m very blessed to have scholarships already,” he said. “It motivates me to keep working harder and get more.”
He’s also receiving interest from schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Xavier and Indiana among others. Schools have told him they like his ability to score and lead his team.
Ayers was impressed on Wednesday, according to Penn.
“He thought I played very well and thinks I could be a good fit for Notre Dame with the way I play; passing, scoring, being a leader, playing good defense,” said Penn. “He’s excited for me to come up there and I’m excited too.”
Penn will be traveling to South Bend next month when the Irish football team hosts USC.
“I’ll watch practice, maybe tour and watch the game,” he said. “I want to see the culture, get to know Coach (Mike) Brey, I haven’t met him yet, and get a feel for the school.”
Penn has a couple of connections to the Irish.
“First of all, Chris Quinn went there and he went to my school, Dublin Coffman,” Penn explained. “He’s really close to my coach, so that caught my attention at first.
“Dane Goodwin at Upper Arlington here in Ohio, he’s committed there. I know him pretty well. I want to get to know more about Notre Dame. It’s caught my eye.”
Penn has already taken a visit to Ohio State and could get to Indiana in a couple of weeks.
“That might be coming up Oct. 7th,” he said. “I went to Dayton last year with Coach Archie Miller, so I’m going to Indiana to meet up with him.”
Penn is the son of former Boston College and Ohio State star point guard Scoonie Penn, who went onto a lengthy professional career overseas.
“He’s told me just to be myself and do what’s best for me,” Penn said of his father. “He doesn’t force me or tell me to go to a certain place. He wants me to be my own person and I really respect that.
“I’m very honored to have a dad who played professionally and who is there to help me and guide me. He’s helped me so much. I give nearly all of my credit to him actually.”
Penn still has a long time before he needs to make a decision, but is looking for a national program with strong academics.
“Notre Dame has a great program and that’s exactly what I’m looking for.”