Harry Giles, the No. 1 recruit in the nation announced that he is transferring to Oak Hill Academy for his senior year of high school on Wednesday, July 29. Giles tweeted "!!" on his personal Twitter account and posted a photo of a long note, explaining the reason behind his decision.
"The decision I chose was one of the toughest things I've had to do but it's a decision my family and I thought would be the best for me going forward," wrote 17-year-old Giles. "My senior year of high school I will be attending Oak Hill Academy."
Giles is a power forward who stands at 6'10." He previously attended Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, North Carolina. Giles has already received offers from eight universities, including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, Syracuse, UNLV, and Wake Forest.
"At this point I just really want to lock in on school and basketball at the highest level. I feel like going to Oak Hill it'll give me the chance to do both. I won't have anything to do but be a better student and a better player," said Giles to USA Today. "I've always dreamed of playing at Oak Hill."
Giles thanked his former basketball coach Keith Gatlin, the coaching staff, Wesleyan, and the student body. He thanked his coaches for developing him as a person and as a player. He wished his former teammates the best of luck in their future careers.
Oak Hill is a Baptist-affiliated, private boarding school located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Giles will be joining other top basketball players such as Mario Kegler and Braxton Blackwell on Oak Hill's Warriors basketball team. They will be coached by Steve Smith. The Warriors' season record for 2014-2015 was 47-1.
Giles told USA Today that his top five pick of schools are North Carolina, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Duke, and Kansas. ESPN ranked Giles No. 1 on its list of top 100 recruits. His scout grade is 97. Giles received five stars on his scouting report. He will graduate in the Class of 2016 at Oak Hill.
"He is explosive around the rim and dunks with power at every opportunity. He is a monster on the glass especially offensively where he is a tip dunk threat if not boxed out aggressively," stated ESPN's scouting report.
NBA players Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Josh Smith, Jerry Stackhouse, Brandon Jennings, Kevin Durant, Ty Lawson, and Ben McLemore are Oak Hill alumni.
