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270 Exclusive: Eli McNamara commits to Miami (OH)

By Zach Fleer, 10/22/17, 5:07PM EDT

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Pickerington North senior Eli McNamara has committed to Miami (OH)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Pickerington North senior forward Eli McNamara has committed to Miami (OH). McNamara spoke to 270 Hoops exclusively before announcing his decision.

Narrowing his list to four final schools, the difference for McNamara was made with new Miami (OH) head coach Jack Owens.

"It wasn't the assistant coaches recruiting me, it was the head coach," McNamara told 270 Hoops. "Plus I wanted to go somewhere where they loved me and I could tell that Coach Owens genuinely loves me."

Citing Miami's academic prestige, the decision was made easy for McNamara, who feels he is a great fit for where Owens is taking the Redhawks program. 

At 6-foot-9, McNamara is a highly skilled big man who can do a lot with the tools in his bag. For Miami, Owens and the Redhawks plan to utilize every last one of those skills.

"Miami plans on using me in their motion offense to come off and set screens and really just play my game," McNamara said. "Those are also the ways I fit in because I know that coach will let me play my game."

In an era of basketball where big forwards have to be skilled and a threat from the perimeter to stretch the floor, McNamara is excited with the level of improvement that he has seen from himself over the years. 

"My game has improved tremendously," McNamara said. "My shot has gotten better and I've gotten more physical. Much of that is thanks to my trainers because they have definitely helped me with those main things."

The third Pickerington North senior to commit to a Division I or II program, joining Jerome Hunter (Indiana) and Dondre Palmer (Findlay), McNamara is thankful to have the entire process behind him.

"I feel great and truly blessed to be in the best situation for me," McNamara said. "It will be nice to have the stress off my shoulders as well so I can just focus on this high school year."

Stay tuned to 270 Hoops for more surrounding McNamara and his commitment. 

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