BREAKING: Alabama transfer forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton commits to SMU
SMU landed a commitment from Alabama transfer power forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton on Tuesday, he told On3’s Joe Tipton. The 6-8, 215-pound forward played in 11 games last season, averaging one point and .8 rebounds in 4.6 minutes per game.
“I chose SMU because I felt like it will give me the opportunity and development I need to reach my goals,” Hylton said to On3. “Also I know the head coach’s success with my position and know he can help me get to where I need to be.”
Ambrose-Hylton is a former four-star prospect according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranked as the No. 113 overall prospect in the country and No. 19 power forward nationally.
The Toronto native joins a transfer class for SMU that includes Louisville wing Samuell Williamson, Marist guard Ricardo Wright and Iowa State big man Xavier Foster. Ambrose-Hylton is the third former four-star prospect or better to sign with the Mustangs for this upcoming season. The new coaching staff on the Hilltop has three scholarships remaining to work with.
Returning players for the Mustangs include guards Zhuric Phelps, Jalen Smith, Zach Nutall and Darius McBride along with forwards Stefan Todorovic and Frank Agunanne.
Keon Ambrose-Hylton is the latest transfer piece for SMU
SMU head coach Rob Lanier wants to build a program filled with high school and transfer additions. Ambrose-Hylton is the latest addition that Lanier hopes will build a team that can get up and down the floor.
“You can use the transfer portal to help built continuity. I am not a big fan of recruiting one-year transfers, but I will do it,” Lanier said at his introductory press conference. “I want to have relationships with young people over a long period of time. So, I would rather recruit kids in the transfer portal who have two or three years of eligibility left.
“So, between high school, the transfer portal, and trying to recruit internationally the bottom line is that I want talented perimeter players who can really shoot, I want athletic bigs who are mobile and can really move and can play pick-and-roll defense, and I want to play fast.”
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