4-star Curtis Givens recaps official; goes in depth with LSU, Memphis, Indiana, Texas
Curtis Givens jumped to No. 30 in the recent 2024 On3 150 ranking update. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 16.9 points and 3.6 assists playing for the MoKan Elite program on Nike’s EYBL Circuit this summer.
“I’m a point guard, but I’m comfortable on or off the ball, and honestly, I think that is what makes me a pretty good player,” Givens told On3. “I’m capable of knocking down shots, setting up my teammates, and I can lock up on defense. I pride myself in being an all-around point guard, someone who can do it all. I watch a lot of Steph Curry, not only how he plays but also how he treats his teammates.”
This high school season, Givens also worked his way into the starting line up, byt the end of the year, for nationall ranked Montverde (FL) Academy. A team that finished 23-3 on the year with a birth in the Geico Nationals Tournament.
“Montverde really did a great job preparing me this season,” Givens said. “Iron sharpens iron everyday in practice, so coming into the EYBL I was prepared for anything.”
On3 caught up with four-star Curtis Givens after a recent live viewing to deep dive into his recruitment.
Givens breaks down Georgia Tech official visit
“The only official visit I’ve taken so far is to Georgia Tech,” Givens said.
Georgia Tech: “They have a history of guards. Looking back, they’re like Guard University. Coach (Damon) Stoudamire was a guard in the NBA. He is a point guard coach, and that means a lot to me. The facilities were great, real nice. The biggest takeaway for me was that everything on campus was real close. You didn’t have to go too far for anything, school, working out, anything.”
Givens is setting officials
“I’m going to LSU at the end of this month,” Givens said. “I’m also talking with Texas and Indiana about visits.”
LSU: “Coach Matt (McMahon) has a history of developing great guards. When he was at Murray State, they had Ja Morant, and they had Cameron Payne. He’s a point guard coach who puts the ball in his point guard’s hands and lets them control the tempo.”
Indiana: “I saw the way they developed Jalen Hood-Schifino. He’s a Montverde guard, but he’s a product of Indiana, so that really stood out for me. He was just eh 17th pick in the draft.”
Texas: “I have a pretty good relationship with that staff. They called me the other week and told me that I’m actually the only point guard they’re rectuiting for my class. So that really stood out to me, how much they believe in me and my game. Watching them this year, Texas likes to play in transition, and that is a big part of my game; whether I’m finding open guys or getting to the hole or knocking down open jump shots. I feel like I fit well in that environment.”
Hometown school will probably get the last visit
Curtis Givens, who is originally from Memphis, says his hometown school will probably get the last official visit.
“Right now, Memphis is going to be my last visit, probably,” Givens said.
Memphis: “I have a pretty good relationship with them, we talk on a daily basis. They just tell me how much they would love for me to be a Tiger and they think I can be the next great point guard to come through there. Penny (Hardaway) means everything to Memphis kids. He was one of the greats from Memphis and went on to have a great NBA career. So it means a lot to have a good relationship with him.
At the end of the day…
“As of right now, I’m planning to commit just a little before the early signing period,” Givens said. “That could change, but that is where my mind is right now.
“I want to go to a program where I can have an impact year one. I have to come in and do the work, but I want the opportrunity to have the ball in my hands. I’m going to look at the team, I want to have good players around me. I want to win.