Previously from Western Pennsylvania, basketball player Makhai Valentine has entered the transfer portal and is currently receiving considerable interest from recruiters.
Valentine told PSN and The Portal Report Since joining the transfer portal recently, he has received inquiries from these institutions: William & Mary, Canisius, Le Moyne, Kent State, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Northern Illinois University (NIU),UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro,Eastern Washington,Indiana University Indianapolis (IU-Indy),Vermont,UMass Lowell,Niagara,Youngstown State,Belmont,Lindenwood,Eastern Kentucky,Virginia Military Institute (VMI),Marist,and Presbyterian College,Gardner-Webb.
Valentine played his high school basketball at Steel Valley.
The first-year player from Munhall, Pennsylvania competed for Missouri State for just one season prior to his recent entry into the transfer portal. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, he appeared in 12 games during his final year. As a newcomer, Valentine averaged only six minutes per game but managed to score an average of 3.9 points each time he stepped onto the court.
In Valentine's standout performance of the season, he excelled against Bradley, sinking 3 out of 6 shots from beyond the arc and scoring 13 points. Additionally, he pulled down four rebounds during this match, despite the team suffering a defeat to the Braves. After making a significant impact at Steel Valley in the WPIAL, Valentine continued his education and athletic pursuits at Link Academy, a preparatory school.
Take a look at this piece by PSN’s Adam Borst from years back when he covered Valentine at a high school game.
Makhai Valentine Leads Steel Valley to Crucial Section Win Against Keystone Oaks with a Score of 71-66
MUNHALL, Pa. — About a month ago, Steel Valley traveled to Keystone Oaks and lost their fourth-quarter lead when the Golden Eagles staged a comeback to secure a narrow victory of 52-51. However, on Tuesday night, the tables turned as the Ironmen retaliated with a score of 71-66 against the Golden Eagles.
Initially, the Ironmen dominated the game and maintained a narrow advantage until Tulio Watts (with 17 points) propelled the Golden Eagles into the lead at 52-51 going into the final period. In the beginning of the last quarter, the Golden Eagles seemed poised to extend their edge when they built up the score to 55-51.
Steel Valley responded by going on a scoring run to reclaim the lead, and from that point onward, they maintained control. Free throws by Makhai Valentine along with a crucial one-and-done play by Cruce Brookins secured the victory in the final 90 seconds.
Valentine led all scorers with 39 points, followed by Brookins who scored 12 points. Additionally, freshman Nahjir Norris contributed significantly from the bench, scoring 14 points for the Ironmen.
Following their defeat against Keystone Oaks on December 20th, Steel Valley had a record of 1-6 and were struggling with inconsistent play. However, after securing victory on Tuesday evening, they improved to an 8-9 overall standing and hold a 6-2 record within Section 2 matches. This dramatic shift can be attributed to senior guard Makhai Valentine, who has been scoring around 35 points each game this season.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Valentine is a mismatch for any guard at the high school level. He can shoot the three from the college range and will jump out of the gym in regard to dunking and playing defense. He had two huge blocks in their win over Keystone Oaks, with one looking similar to LeBron James’ chase-down block in the NBA Finals a few years ago.
Many squads devise strategies centered around Valentine, often employing double-teams that seldom manage to contain him effectively.
"The challenge for other squads arises when each team decides to double-team me; they can't maintain this strategy throughout the entire game. By the second half, they usually ease up, which is precisely when I step things up. When opponents focus their attention on doubling me, it leaves [Cruce] unmarked, and he happens to be the most talented athlete I've come across. So, whenever possible, I'll place my bets on him," explained Valentine.
Valentine has current Division I scholarship offers from Sam Houston State and South Dakota. He shares a familial bond with both programs due to the strong connections he formed with them.
“I adore them; they feel as close to me as family,” stated Valentine.
Moreover, Valentine mentioned to Pittsburgh Sports Now that he has been in discussions with UMass, Denver, and Chattanooga, along with several other institutions.
Should he keep scoring effortlessly and propel the Ironmen toward additional triumphs, enticing contract offers ought to start flooding in.
The post Makhai Valentine Fielding Intensified Recruiting in Transfer Portal appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now .
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