Photo by: DU Athletics
Former Xavier University basketball forward Griffin McKenzie announced he would be transferring from Xavier to join the University of Denver’s men’s basketball team on May 14 via Twitter.
“Officially committed to the University of Denver,” McKenzie tweeted four days before the university would confirm the 6-foot-9 forward’s decision to transfer.
Head coach Joe Scott said McKenzie is a member of the Pioneers’ 2012 recruiting class, but he will sit out the 2012-2013 season before he can play for Denver in 2013-2014 as a redshirt junior due to NCAA transfer rules.
Scott said he hopes his newest addition can flourish as a Pioneer.
“He’s big, wide and athletics and can do a lot of the things we do here,” said Scott. “I hope [Xavier] was right and that’s the type of player he is, because he has a really good combination of passing, shooting and playing defense, but there are no guarentees. If he wants to be really good, then he has a chance to do that.”
According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, McKenzie visited the program on May 8 before checking out the University of San Francisco, finalizing his commitment to DU less than a week later.
Scott said during McKenzie’s visit to campus, the DU coaching staff was able to work out the prospect, evaluating him as he worked out with future teammates Chris Udofia, Marcus Byrd and Jake Logan.
“He had a great attitude working with the other guys, he was very talkative and fit in right away,” said Scott. “Most importantly, he didn’t think he was hot stuff coming from Xavier.”
McKenzie, a native of Cincinnati, played high school basketball at Moeller High School, leading his team to a 22-5 record in his senior season and a state runner-up finish. He elected to play at Xavier, choosing the Musketeers over other regional powerhouses, including Ohio State and Northwestern. He was also recruited to play at Wake Forest and Vanderbilt.
When he is eligible to play at Denver, McKenzie will be a redshirt junior after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at Xavier. He played in 11 games this past season, recording only two points.
The Musketeers advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament this past March before losing to Baylor.
Scott believes there were a number of factors influencing McKenzie’s decision to leave Xavier.
“I think he was lured in to play for the big, local program and as he was there, he saw it wasn’t the right fit for him, and as a basketball player you need that comfort level,” said Scott. “Lack of playing time certainly contributed to his choice, but I think it really came down to him being comfortable and he saught to find a better fit for himself.”
McKenzie completes a talented recruiting class, featuring guards Nate Engesser, Jalen Love, Bryant Rucker and forward Dom Samac.
Scott said the men’s basketball program is looking forward to continue to grow as it enters the Western Athletic Conference this season, leaving the Sun Belt Conference after 13 years of membership.
“Adding [McKenzie] gives us three guards and two big men now, so within our incoming class, we have a whole starting lineup of guys,” said Scott. “If you add that to the five guys we added in 2011, we now have 10 guys coming in here over a two year span, adding to the talent that’s already here with guys like Chris, Blake [Foeman] and Chase [Hallam]. That’s our team for the next two to three years, so the future is bright.”
Scott believes an addition such as McKenzie means a lot to a thriving program coming off a 22-win season and returning four starters. Most importantly, Scott said McKenzie’s decision signifies the DU basketball program now has a national audience.
“This move means people across the country are starting to notice us and what we’re doing here,” said Scott. “[Griffin] recognized we have good players in guys such as Chris and Royce [O’Neale], and that confirms what we already knew – good players attract other good players. Hopefully, in the future, we won’t be talking about transfer players like that; rather, guys coming here right out of high school and respecting what we are all about. The future pieces are place for this to happen, so it’s only a matter of time.”
