One of area’s top basketball prospects won’t play senior season in Columbia

Four-star prospect and Alabama commit Juwan Gary is leaving Gray Collegiate for his senior season.

Gary is transferring to West Charlotte High School in North Carolina. SportsTalk’s Phil Kornblut was the first to report the news.

“He has been a pleasure to coach,” Gray Collegiate coach Dion Bethea said. “He has been great for Gray and we have been great for him as well. We wish him well. My guys at Gray have been working hard all spring and summer looking forward to next season.”

At West Charlotte, Gary will play with AAU teammate Patrick Williams. The two play with Team United, which is based out of North Carolina.

“The main focus is we’re trying to get his grades together so he can do what he needs to do,” Team United coach Ed Cooke told the Charlotte (NC) Observer. “(Juwan is) one of the best athletes I’ve seen. He’s got a lot skill work to do on offensive end, but he is a do-it-all type of guy.”

247Sports Composite ranks Gary as the No. 67 prospect, and Rivals has him as the 70th-ranked prospect in the country from the class of 2019. He committed to Alabama over South Carolina on July 13 at Peach Jam in North Augusta.

Gary helped Gray Collegiate to its first Class 2A championship. The forward averaged 20.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals and was named the Class 2A Player of the Year.

For Team United this summer, Gary averaged 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds on the EYBL. At Peach Jam last month, he averaged 25.2 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.

Gary’s departure is a big loss for Gary Collegiate. The War Eagles still will be talented with guards Tommy Bruner and Khalil Robinson along with forward Dallaz Corbitt returning.

This story was originally published August 17, 2018 at 7:55 PM.