The Student News Site of Florida Gulf Coast University

Eagle Media

Eagle Media

Eagle Media

Lead recruit coming to FGCU

The Florida Gulf Coast University men’s basketball team landed a major target this week when senior small forward Rayjon Tucker gave his verbal commitment to Joe Dooley and the Eagles.
Tucker is a high-flying athletic forward who seems to be a perfect fit here in Dunk City due to his intensity, rebounding ability, and yes, his vertical. While he can’t sign his National Letter of Intent until November, Tucker sounded confident that FGCU is the only place for him to be.
The 6-foot-5 Tucker is one of the highest-ranked recruits to ever commit to play for the Eagles and he was also weighing offers from Boston College, Clemson, VCU and Virginia Tech, among others. Once listed as a four-star recruit, Tucker was recently downgraded to three despite ESPN having him listed as the fourth best overall recruit in the state of North Carolina.
“Tucker is a strong, physical and highly competitive small forward that plays every possession in full attack mode and [as] hard as possible on both ends of the floor,” ESPN said of the newest Eagle. “[He] plays above the rim on the break and on all clear paths to the rim. He is a terrific offensive rebounder.”
Tucker said that he chose FGCU because he felt like they really had his best interests at heart, and because of the tight-knit family feeling the team has. “Both Coach [Jamill] Jones and [Joe] Dooley had a great relationship with my family, and I just felt like this was where I’m supposed to be,” Tucker said.
Tucker gave up football after his freshman year of high school, and told College Basketball Talk that it paid great dividends for him on the court.
“I just got tired of all the pounding on my body,” Tucker said. “I just really love basketball in my heart more than I love football. My dad was a football player, so it would have just fit. I just like the hardwood.”
Tucker said he is still undecided on a major but he is thinking about business, and hopes that his commitment will influence others to think more seriously about choosing FGCU over other bigger division one schools.

Story continues below advertisement
More to Discover