One of the most dynamic players in the Midlands is leaving to play at a national powerhouse in Virginia.
Irmo basketball has been very good for the Palmetto State.
Irmo’s Devontae Shuler will play his final two years of high school basketball at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia.
South Carolina’s roster has forward Justin McKie, son of the the program’s all-time leading scorer BJ McKie. Clemson’s backcourt features Jordan Roper. Charleston Southern lured Javis Howard to the Lowcountry and Francis Marion saw Detrek Browning provide some firepower in the Patriots’ backcourt.
It was a given that Frank Martin and Brad Brownell were going to do everything in their power to continue that Irmo pipeline by landing Shuler. However, Shuler’s path to college is taking a major detour out of state.
Shuler announced Saturday on Twitter that he is transferring to Oak Hill Academy, a national powerhouse considered to be the top program in the country. The school is located just across the North Carolina line in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
Among the notable alumni at Oak Hill are current NBA players Steve Blake, Rajon Rondo and Carmelo Anthony.
Shuler is a 6-2 junior guard who average a little more than 25 points per game last season as he helped Irmo advance to the third round of Class 4A playoffs where the Yellow Jackets lost to eventual state champion Sumter. In addition to leading the Irmo offense, one of his intangibles is being relentless on the court with a motor that won’t quit. That’s one of the reasons Martin and Brownell are in pursuit of his services.
It’s a good bet those two coaches and others will make sure to be in Columbia in December for the Chick-Fil-A Classic as Oak Hill Academy is schedule to participate in the annual event at Richland Northeast High School in what will mark Shuler’s return to the Midlands.
