Dayton adds guard to highly ranked 2021 recruiting class

“It’s a GREAT Day to be a Flyer!!!” wrote Dayton assistant coach Darren Hertz on Twitter minutes before Greer’s announcement.

Greer is a 2020 graduate of Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Before his senior year, he decided to reclassify to the 2021 class. He’s now spending a post-graduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. IMG Academy ranks fourth in the MaxPreps.com top-25 national rankings.

Greer ranks 222nd in the class of 2021, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. Among the other schools recruiting him, he told Rivals.com this week, were: Washington; Seton Hall; San Diego; and Washington State.

Greer joins Malachi Smith, DaRon Holmes and Kaleb Washington, all of whom signed in November, in Dayton’s 2021 recruiting class, which ranks No. 23 in the nation, according to 247Sports.com. If you include Mustapha Amzil, who joined the team in December, in the 2021 class, the group ranks 16th, according to Rivals.com.

Greer scored 1,392 career points in his career at Roman Catholic, averaging 18.2 points per game as a senior. He decided to take a post-graduate year because he was 17 year when he finished his senior year, Roman Catholic coach Matt Griffin told the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2019.

“I think he wants the legitimate opportunity to really work on his body,” Griffin said, “and just become the best player he can be. Some people are big believers in that fifth year of high school.”

Greer III is the son of one of Temple’s all-time greats. His dad Lynn Greer II scored 2,099 points between 1997-2002 and ranks second in Temple history in scoring. He scored 31 points and played all 45 minutes against Dayton in his final appearance at UD Arena: a 75-70 overtime victory in 2002.

Greer II had a long career in Europe and played 41 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2006-07 season. The family’s basketball tradition didn’t start there either. Lynn Greer’s dad, Lynn Sr., had a successful career at Virginia State and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1973.

With the commitment of Greer III, Dayton has one scholarship open for the 2021-22 season. Here’s a look at the roster, which doesn’t include the 2021 seniors, all of whom can return if they choose because of the NCAA’s decision to not count this season against anyone’s eligibility. If any do return, they won’t count against the 13-person scholarship limit.

Senior: Elijah Weaver, 6-6, G.

Redshirt junior: Dwayne Cohill, 6-2, G.

Redshirt sophomores: Moulaye Sissoko, 6-9, C; Zimi Nwokeji, 6-7, F.

Sophomores: Mustapha Amzil, 6-10, F; Lukas Frazier, 6-5, G; Koby Brea, 6-6, G; and R.J. Blakney, 6-6, F/G.

Freshmen: Malachi Smith, 6-0, G; DaRon Holmes, 6-8, F; Kaleb Washington, 6-7, F; and Lynn Greer III, 6-3, G.