By Joseph Staszewski
New York state’s top senior boys’ basketball player is staying home.
Christ the King guard Jon Severe, the reigning New York State Mr. Basketball, committed to Fordham University at a press conference at the school Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation. He chose the Rams over Rutgers, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Wake Forest.
“I felt at home,” Severe said. “I felt comfortable. I was just ready for my decision.”
Severe moved up his announcement date from May 22, the Royals sports awards night, to this week after growing tired of the recruiting process and wanting to end the ever-growing speculation about where he would land.
“I didn’t know until two days ago where he was going to go,” CK Coach Joe Arbitello said. “I wasn’t even sure. Maybe he was going to pull out a hat that says ‘Queens College’ on it.”
The speculation only grew the day prior to the announcement when the 6-foot-2 shooting guard received an in-home visit from new Rutgers Coach Eddie Jordan. Severe was considering the school before former Coach Mike Rice was fired.
Severe averaged 21.6 points per game this year. He led Christ the King to the diocesan, city and state Federation Class AA titles. He wants to bring that winning pedigree to a Fordham program that has struggled in recent years.
“I think I can change the whole program around,” Severe said.
