4-star Dontae Russo-Nance talks visits and updates recruitment
Dontae Russo-Nance moved from New Zealand to the United States less than five weeks ago. Already the 6-foot-3 guard is the No. 25 player in the 2024 On3 150.
“I would say I have a high IQ,” Russo-Nance told On3. “I always try to make the right plays during games. I just want to see my team win. My favorite play is Kyrie (Irving). I love the freedom he plays with; he’s able to get whatever he wants on the floor.”
Last season Russo-Nance played in the New Zealand NBL for the Aukland Tuatara. He finished top ten in assists (4.4) and led the league in steals (2.9). As a 16-year-old playing in a professional league, he also averaged 15.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in helping to lead his team to the championship game. The four-star transferred to play at Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy this season.
“I wanted to come to get better,” Russo-Nance said. “Coming to one of the best schools in America is going to help me develop and get better each and every day and help me get to my goal of playing in the NBA. So far, I’d say that over here, they’re definitely a lot more athletic and quicker. But I would say that guys in New Zealand have higher IQs.”
Word of On3s No. 8 shooting guard in 2024 has spread fast. College programs are already starting to recruit, offer, and get him on visits. On3 caught up with Russo-Nance after a recent scrimmage to talk visits and the current state of his recruitment.
“I took an official visit to Cal-Berkley,” Russo-Nance said. “That was like two weeks ago and is my only one so far.”
Russo-Nance talks visits
California: “I was impressed by the culture they built around the program. All of the coaching staff and the players were there and you could feel the culture and they’re all like family. I liked that about them.
“I’d probably have to say the most memorable part of the visit was the food. They definitely took care of us with the food. There was this fried chicken, yeah”
“I’ve got an offer from Louisville, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, Maryland,” Russo-Nance said, “There are some more too, and I’ve been talking with Gonzaga recently. I don’t know much about any of these schools, so I’m going to need to sit down and look at all of them, watch them play.”
Russo-Nance talks recruitment
“I’m just worried about the season for now,” Russo-Nance said. “I’m not too focused on visits and stuff because we’re getting into the heart of the season. I’m just trying to get ready for the season and hopefully, I’ll have things scheduled in a couple of months or so. Maybe towards the middle or maybe the end of the season.
“I’ll definitely look for a place that’s gonna take care of me and help me get to my goal of being in the NBA,” Russo-Nance said. “A lot of coaches say that to get you in their program, but I want a coaching staff that is going to help me develop and get better and do what they say they’re going to do and help me reach my goals.
Pro vs. College
“So for me, it’s just seeing what’s, what’s the best fit for me,” Dontae Russo-Nance said. “I want to look into and see why opportunities are better than others. So, with that, I just kind of want to wait and see how the season progresses.”