Devan Downey

10/28/05: Moved to inactive since he is no longer a 'recruit'.

08/25/05: "Incoming freshman point guard Devan Downey declined comment, but did say he was unsure about his future." - www.CincyPost.com

08/23/05: Huggins is fired.

07/07/05:
Q: Who is the toughest guard you have faced?
OJ Mayo: Devan Downey. He was a quick guard that can go around anyone and can shoot. A lot of guys can't do both. If you get close to him, he will drive past you and if you lay off he will hit the jumper.
- USAToday 'chat' with Mayo

06/30/05: Listed as the 65th best player in his class. - HoopScoop

06/20/05: Listed as the 49th best player in the country on the RSCI list. (consensus of five recruiting services)

06/08/05: Listed as the 55th best player in his class. www.HoopMasters.com

05/17/05: "Current UC recruit Devan Downey said this weekend coaches' contracts were an issue several schools used when trying to dissuade him from considering other schools. None of those coaches said that about Cincinnati during his recruitment. There's no doubt it will be used as ammunition against the Bearcats in the two seasons to come." - CincyPost.com

05/12/05: Listed as the 40th best player in the country, in his class. - ScoutHoops.com

04/17/05: Jordan Brand Classic final stats -
6 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 3 turnovers, 2 of 9 FG, 0 of 5 3pt, 19 minutes. Sort of a poor man's Drew Lavender, Downey didn't have the impact of (Levance) Fields overall, but still showed some nice flashes on individual plays. A fake pull out turned into a spin move layup was particularly spectacular. I wonder how he fits into Cincy's scheme given Huggins' love of physical, hard-nosed defense, but he's got to be a step up from Jihad Muhammad's bricklaying. - DraftCity.com

04/15/05: "Devan Downey will be on the court, his family and friends will be rooting for him and coach DeAndre Scott will be in attendance. This scene could easily be describing a home game for the Chester Basketball Team, except it's all taking place in New York.

Downey will take the court tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden (MSG) for the Jordan Classic All-Star Basketball game. Though he is a long way from home, the contest will have the feel of a home game for Devan. "My family is on the way now," Downey said. "And coach Scott will be here for the game too."

This isn't Downey's first trip to the "Big Apple". Four years ago he made the trip north to visit some family members. This excursion is a little different though, it's almost a business trip for Downey.

The team went through a pair of two hour practices yesterday and will do the same again today to prep for tomorrow's contest. Typically in all-star type contests, offenses struggle a bit because players do not have a lot of time to work together. Downey said that will not be a problem in this case. "I know just about all the players, except for maybe two or three of them," Downey said. "We've played together in different camps. Plus, you kind of know what everybody can do."

One thing most of the players can do is look down on Downey, literally. Downey is officially listed at 5'10, but the next shortest player is 6'4, with most on both rosters standing over 6'7. Downey said he was used to not being the tallest, and that it would not effect him anymore than it has since he began playing. "It's not about how tall you are, it's about how big your heart is," Downey said. "I'm the shortest one, but nobody looks at me that way. The coaches look at me like I'm a 6'4 wing."

Since the game is in New York, there have been a number of celebrity onlookers. Downey said he and the other players had the chance to meet Lil' Jon and several other rappers. The players themselves have enjoyed a sort of celebrity status, meeting and signing autographs for fans.

Downey has showcased his skills in gyms across the state and in Nike camps, but tomorrow's game is a unique opportunity to show the entire world what he can do. The game will be broadcast by ESPN 2 at 4 p.m. on Sunday. "I've just got to step up my game," Downey said. "The cameras will be on and the reporters will be there. I'm just going to play hard and do my best. There will be millions of other high school players watching. I just have to take it as a big honor that I get the chance to play."

The playing time will be split pretty equally among the players, Downey said, up until the last 10 minutes or so when the coaches will try to get their best group on the floor to try to win. However many minutes he gets, Downey said he hopes the folks back home in Chester will be watching."I just want to thank everybody for supporting me," Downey said.

This will not be Downey's last trip to MSG. The Big East tournament will be held there for the next few years. That means Downey, a Cincinnati signee, will get to play at least once a year for the duration of his college career. He hopes that even after his college days are done he'll get to play at MSG again, which also happens to be home to the NBA's New York Knicks, "If things work out like I hope they do, maybe if I get drafted I'll play there at least a few more times a year," Downey said. - Chester Herald

04/11/05: Listed as the 36th best player in his class. - RivalsHoops.com

04/04/05: "The 5-foot-9 scoring point guard is blink and you'll miss him speedster that uses his quickness on defense for steals and cross over moves on the offensive side of the ball. His size will certainly put some limitations on his game but he does a great job of scoring and trying to prove all of those that say he can't do something. It's his fuel." - RivalsHoops.com

04/02/05: "I sat with Devan Downey tonight for an hour at the AAU Super Regional in N. Augusta, S.C. and we talked about his future at Cincy. This kid is pumped to be a Bearcat. He's going up in June to get ready for the Big East. . . " - J Young, RivalsHoops.com

03/23/05: Chester High School's Devan Downey has been named Gatorade's South Carolina Boys' Basketball Player of the Year. Downey, a 5-foot-9 point guard, has signed a scholarship with the University of Cincinnati. "Nothing surprises me because I've worked hard for everything I've got," Downey said. "It's one of the top honors you can get to be named the best player in South Carolina. I've played with some of the top seniors in the country at summer camps. I consider myself right up there with them, and this latest honor is a tribute to how hard I've worked to become the best player I can."

Downey averaged 36.9 points, 6.1 assists, 4.7 steals and 4.3 rebounds per game this season. Downey made 92 3-pointers and broke the state boys' career points record with 2,738. He was a three-time all-state player. He was named Class AAA's Player of the Year, The Herald's Boys' Player of the Year and was selected to play in the Michael Jordan Classic All-Star Game on April 16 in New York. Downey played in the North Carolina vs. South Carolina All-Star Game on March 19 at Winthrop Coliseum and scored 20 points.

In being the representative from South Carolina, Downey becomes a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys' Basketball Player of the Year." - Chester Herald

03/22/05: Downey will play in the Commonwealth Classic high school all-star basketball games April 1 at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center." His teammate will include Denis Clemente (Calcusa Prep), Miami (Fla.) and Octavius Spann (Banneker, Ga.) - Richmond Times-Dispatch

03/20/05: "Chester's Devan Downey, silent in the first half, exploded for 18 points down the stretch, closing the game to within 104-100. "At halftime, I told myself that I had to pick my game up," Downey said. "In the first half, I thought that since this was an All-Star game, they wouldn't be playing that hard. We expected alley-oops and crossovers; we didn't expect them to push the ball. But when I got out there, I saw that they were bringing their game, trying to embarrass me. I couldn't have that." But ultimately, the hole was too great to climb out of, and despite the better efforts of Downey, Breeden and Satrel Fuller, North Carolina held on for the victory." - Chester Herald

03/16/05: "Friday at Northwestern High School, players from the eight all-star teams will compete in the Friday Night Showcase. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. The competitions are boys' and girls' 3-point shooting, two-ball, where boy-and-girl teams rack up points by making shots from specified spots on the clock, and then a slam-dunk contest judged by a panel of local celebrities. Included on 'South Carolina's roster is Chester's Devan Downey, a 5-9 guard who has signed with the University of Cincinnati. Downey, also a McDonald's nominee, is South Carolina's all-time leading boys' scorer with 2,738 points." - Buzzfans.com

03/15/05: Downey has been added to the roster of the Jordan Classic according to Rivals, tho I havent found any 'official' announcement of it. - Mike Ryan (thanks Oleski)

02/27/05: "Many view the McDonald's All-America Game as a pointless affair. That ought to be true this year, given the shortage of point guards chosen to participate. The class of 2005 is especially weak at the point, but there were players included who were no better as prospects than 5-9 Devan Downey of Chester, S.C., 6-3 Mike Mercer of Snellville, Ga., and 6-2 Dominic James of Richmond, Ind. I've seen all-star games in the past where the selectors loaded up on big men and neglected to include someone to get them the ball. It is not a pretty show." - DeCourcey

02/23/05: "Chester's Devan Downey and Great Falls' James Culp received the highest honors handed out by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Monday. When the group's eight all-state teams were announced, Downey was named player of the year in Class AAA." - Chester Herald

02/19/05: Friday night, visiting Greenville did all the damage, outlasting the Cyclones 99-93 in front of a sold-out crowd in the 2nd round of S.C. AAA playoffs. The loss not only ends the season for Chester (19-7), but the spectacular career of South Carolina's all-time leading boys' scorer, Devan Downey. "Right now, it really hasn't sunk in that we lost and this is my last game at Chester," said Downey, who scored 40 points to bring his career total to 2,738. "I know some time tonight when I lay down to sleep, it will probably start to hit me." The Red Raiders (16-6) broke open the game by going on 11-0 and 12-0 runs in the first quarter to take a 29-13 lead after eight minutes. Led by Downey, the Cyclones went on a 20-1 run in the second quarter to take a 40-37 lead with 3 minutes, 30 seconds to go in the half. Downey had 14 points in just over a minute during that run. (HS Season complete) - Charlotte Observer

02/16/05: Scored 45 points (nine treys) and had 10 assists in a win over Riverside. The 45 points gives him the official South Carolina state scoring record for his career. (There are two players who unofficially scored more tho).
http://www.buzzfans.com/sports/story/4602212p-4278343c.html

02/15/05: "Cincinnati is the perfect spot for him," said Jerry Meyer, the national scout for Rivals.com, which ranks Downey the No. 42 player in the class of 2005 and No. 8 among point guards. "He's going to be around other athletes, but he can do more than score. They're going to play a fast pace, and he'll have some freedom to shoot the ball. Our rankings were done after last summer, so I think it's safe to say his will probably go up when we do our final rankings after the all-star games." - Chester Herald
http://www.buzzfans.com/sports/basketball/story/4562233p-4274507c.html

02/12/05: "In his final regular-season home game, the Cyclones' scoring machine saved his best for last. The University of Cincinnatti signee hit 10 3-pointers, including an amazing eight in a row during one stretch, for a career-best 67 points. Downey brought fans to their feet during a 32-point second-quarter performance by draining long-ranger jumpers beyond the NBA 3-point range.

02/05/05: "Guard Devan Downey set the offensive tone with 38 points and six assists" - Buzzfans.com

02/02/05: "Devan Downey had another good night offensively, scoring 32 points. Overall, Chester now stands at 14-6, and have won six games in a row." - Chester News

02/01/05: "57, 37, 32. All reasons to not miss the Chester Cyclones when they visit Eau Claire. Those numbers are the point totals for Chester’s 5-foot-9 point guard Devan Downey in the past three games." - Columbia State

01/29/05: "Devan Downey led the Cyclones (14-6 overall, 6-0 region) with 32 points." - Rock Hill Herald

01/26/05: "Cyclones scoring machine Devan Downey followed up a career-best 57-point outburst with 37 against the Bulldogs. Downey stroked six 3-pointers and showed off his usual arsenal of acrobatic layups." - Rock Hill Herald

01/19/05: "Whenever Chester stand-out point guard Devan Downey receives praise and accolades, he usually passes it all off to his teammates. On Friday night Downey passed up shots and shared the ball with his teammates as the Cyclones picked up an 83-59 win over Eau Claire. "Really, he does that a lot," Chester head coach DeAndre Scott said. "He distributes the ball very well and gets everybody involved. Tonight we got scoring for a couple of different places."

Downey and the Cyclones came storming out of the gate. Downey drilled a pair of three-pointers, and electrified the crowd with a thunderous two-handed dunk. Chester got out to a 29-17 lead after the first quarter. Downey finished with 28 points. Chester moved to 10-6 with the win, and improved their region record to 2-0." (snipped) Chester News & Reporter

01/13/05: "Downey poured in 18 second quarter points. His buckets came from all over the floor as he cut to the baskets for lay-ups, knocked down mid-range jumpers, hit a pair of foul shots and drilled two three-pointers. Chester not only eliminated the deficit, but took a six point lead into the half. Downey stayed hot in the third, scoring 12 points to help Chester build a double digit lead. - Downey ended the game with 46 points." - Chester News

01/13/05: "My favorite player is probably Allen Iverson," Downey remarked. "I am a guy who scores a lot, but also can get my teammates involved and pass the ball well." - BearcatInsider.com

01/10/05: "LHS avenged a 75-73 loss to Chester, downing the Devan Downey-led Cyclones 76-67 in the jam-packed Bruins' gym. The much-anticipated nightcap, which drew a packed gym with fans turned away some 20 minutes prior to the boys' tip time, lived up to its big-time billing. Downey, the University of Cincinnati-bound guard, had netted 50 points in the first meeting last month, but the second clash was a different story. He scored 31, but had no treys after drilling seven last month at CHS. "Downey didn't shoot the ball well, but I felt our defense had something to do with that," LHS coach Dwayne Hartsoe said. "We extended our defense and kept him in check on the perimeter where he wouldn't hurt us as bad with the threes."

"We made him work inside for his points, but he didn't hurt us on the threes," said LHS guard Mike Lowery. "We made him drive."

Downey, who had 20 second-half points, got cranked up to open the final period. The 8-6 Cycs, who trailed 38-34 at the half, were down 50-48 with a quarter to go, but Downey reeled off five of his 14 final period points to give Chester a 53-50 lead. "We knew Downey would get his points because he's tough to shut down, but when he got going, we knew we had to respond and we did," Hartsoe said. Lancaster used a 26-14 final-period surge to take control." - Lancaster News

01/08/05: "Downey led all scorers with 31 points, but missed all nine of his 3-point attempts." - Buzzfans.com

12/28/04: "Chester snapped its four-game losing streak with the victory over Bishop England as Devan Downey scored 22 points, handed out seven assists and came up with 13 steals." - Charleston Post and Courier

12/21/04: "The 5-foot-9 guard did not have his best showing at the tournament but he did show glances of what he's been doing over the last year, and that is score in the dozens." - RivalsHoops.com

12/20/04: "The future Cincinnati Bearcat guard shot a cold 7-26 from the floor. Six of those shots came late in the game. He finished with 24 thanks in part to his 10 of 14 shooting from the charity stripe." - RivalsHoops.com

12/15/04: "45, 31, 49, 48, 28 and now 53. That is the amount of points put up by Cincinnati bound point guard Devan Downey in each of his games this season. On Tuesday night, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Chester (S.C.) High School product had a career high, helped his team to a huge win and joined an elite group of players in the Palmetto State." - RivalsHoops.com

12/15/04: "Devan Downey scored 18 first quarter points, including four three-pointers to help the Cycs claim an 85-37 win over the Lions. Even when he was not scoring himself, Downey helped the Cyclones build up a big lead. He had six assists in the first half to go along with 22 points. Chester led by a score of 34-12 at the end of the first quarter. Downey only played part of the second, but Chester continued to up their lead." - Chester News

12/14/04: "Chester (S.C.) High School basketball coach Deandre Scott likes to call his best player his "points guard." Devan Downey, a University of Cincinnati signee, has proved him right so far this season. In just five games this season, Downey has posted totals of 45, 31, 49, 48 and 28 points and his Cyclones are off to a 4-1 record. And that game with "just" 28 points? Well, that was a blowout victory, and Downey scored 18 points in the first quarter and played sparingly after that.

Even with Downey scoring most of the team's points, Scott said he's not a gunner. He really is a point guard, and not just because he's 5 feet 9. "I know it's hard to say this when he scores 49 points, he gets his teammates involved," Scott said. "He's leading the team in assists. He's really playing well. He's not going and firing it up every time. It's just so easy for him to score."

UC coach Bob Huggins will get a chance to see that first-hand Wednesday night when he and associate head coach Andy Kennedy travel to Chester to see Downey play. "He needs 41 points to reach 2,000 for his career," Scott said. "They may miss that, because we've got a game (tonight)."

Scoring 41 points hasn't been too difficult for Downey so far this season. "I just go out and play," Downey said. "If I just go out and play, good things happen."

Last season Downey led his team to within a victory of the state title game. He said his primary goal this season is to get that ring. If the Cyclones win the state title, it will largely be because of their senior. Scott said there are several younger players on the Chester team this season, and Downey has been able to get them more involved in the flow of the offense, which has been scoring more than 80 points per game.

Downey routinely sees double- and triple-teams this season, but said he welcomes it. "They sleep on my teammates," Downey said of his opponents. "It makes it easier for me to get them points."

The rap on Downey is that he is too small to play major-college basketball. That, he said, has motivated him to work harder so he can prove he can play in the Big East next season. "I like people doubting me," Downey said.

Scott said Downey is adept at penetrating defenses and finding his way to the basket, but has also improved his outside game and has a quick release on his shot. Because defenses have to respect his drive, they are forced to play back and give up open three-pointers. Downey has made at least three three-pointers in each game this season, Scott said. But even at his height, Downey still has dunked three times in games this season, illustrating how good of a jumper he is. "If you've got it in your head you can't be stopped, you're not going to be stopped," Downey said. "I'm not saying that (I can't be stopped), but that's what I'm saying to myself to get me ready to play." - Cincy Post

12/12/04: Player Of The Week
"After scoring 45 points in last week’s season opener, Downey topped that on back to back nights this week. On Tuesday, Downey scored 49 points including the game winner against York. He followed that up with 48 in Chester’s overtime loss to Rock Hill and 28 in Chester’s easy win over Lewisville. Downey who averaged 26.6 points a game last year is averaging nearly 40 points a game through 5 games." - SCVarsity.com

12/10/04: "Overtime. 10.9 seconds left on the clock. The York Cougars had just driven the court and hit a clutch shot to give them the lead. The home crowd went nuts. Chester inbounded the ball to the speedy senior guard Devan Downey, who jitterbugged his way up the court, cutting across and through the Cougar defense.

Five seconds left. Not a fan in the gym was still sitting. The intensity, which had been escalating since the fourth quarter, was at a fever pitch. Downey sliced across the foul line and suddenly pulled up for the shot.

Swoosh. Downey hit the game winner with 3.9 seconds left in overtime, to help Chester extend their winning streak to four games on Wednesday with an 89-88 nail-biter win.

In all, Downey came away with 49 points in the game. Sam Hampton had 16 clutch points in the fourth quarter to keep the game close." - Chester News


12/09/04: "The talented point guard, who is rated as Hoopmasters.com's #61 senior, is definitely making a case to rise up the rankings and earn a spot on the McDonald's All-American Team." - HoopMasters.com

12/09/04: "Devan Downey had another outstanding effort for us," Chester coach Deandre Scott said. "We had two tough games on back-to-back nights."

Downey was unstoppable. He had scoring runs of seven and six points in the first half as the Cyclones built their halftime lead. "He is a super player," Stevens said. "We changed defenses on him a lot tonight. I thought we did a good job overall of executing our defensive game plan." Scott also had plenty of praise, despite the loss, for Downey and his work on both ends of the floor. "He is our leader," Scott said. "He keys our defense and is like a coach on the floor." - Buzzfans.com (snipped)

12/08/04: With 10 seconds remaining and the length of the floor to go, there was only one player that was going to take the winning shot for the Chester Cyclones -- senior guard Devan Downey.

Trailing York 88-87 in overtime, after a pretty fadeaway jumper from the Cougars' King Cannon, the ball was inbounded to Downey. The speedster zipped up court, weaved through traffic, got just beyond the free throw line and pulled up. The shot was true the second it left his right hand for an 89-88 game-winner. The ball arched what seemed like five seconds and fell to earth straight through the basket and the hearts of the Cougar faithful. "That is not the first one of those he's made for us and hopefully won't be the last," Chester coach DeAndre Scott said of Downey, who scored 49 points. "I didn't call timeout (after the go-ahead bucket) and I just let him make a play. With a player like Devan, you just have to live and die with his ability to make that shot."

Downey scored 28 of the Cyclone's 41 in the first half, mostly from the free-throw line. He converted 17-of-19 from the charity stripe in the first two quarters.

The overtime was the Downey-Cannon show, as the Cyclones' star scored all 10 of Chesters' points in the extra period and Cannon tallied seven of York's nine." - Buzzfans.com (snipped)

12/08/04: "The 5-foot-9, 165-pound guard has put in games of 45, 32 and 49 points this season. The No. 42 ranked player in the country is playing just like he played all AAU season - simply unstoppable." - RivalsHoops.com

12/06/04: "The 12th annual Roundball Classic will be held Dec. 26-27, 29-30 at The Citadel's McAlister Field House, and it promises to be the best yet. There are 12 teams in the field, including seven from the Palmetto State and five from across the nation.

This year's field includes six players who have already committed or signed basketball scholarships. Among them, White Station's J.P. Price is headed to Arizona, Seton Hall Prep's Brandon Costner will matriculate to North Carolina State, and St. John College's E.J. Wynn will play football at Wake Forest. But not all of the stars are distant.

The best one might just be Chester's 5-9 guard Devan Downey. Downey is rated the No. 38 player in the country by The InsidersHoops.com, and is the No. 1 player in the state, according to SCRivals.com. Downey, who averaged 27 points, 6.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 steals last year, is headed to Cincinnati." - Charleston Post and Courier


12/02/04: "After Rock Hill led Chester for each of the first two quarters, the Cyclones exploded in the third. Using a lightning-quick fast break and equally swift defense to embark on a 15-1 run, the Cyclones claimed the lead and never looked back, swirling to an 89-77 win in their season opener at the Storm Center.

The run was keyed by All-State point guard Devan Downey, who posted 11 of his game-high 45 points in the third quarter while helping stake the Cyclones to a healthy advantage. "I know this is weird to say, but that is about what we expect of him," Chester head coach De'Andre Scott said of Downey. "He was outstanding tonight; he really carried the load offensively."

Although pleased with the win, Downey was overly humble when talking about his performance. "Overall, I think I had a bad game," Downey said. "I didn't get it going until late, though I did come on a bit in the second half." - Buzzfans.com (how cool is it to have someone who scores 45 say they had a "bad game" ?)


11/24/04: "Chester's boys' basketball team, ranked fourth in the state in the preseason polls, is loaded with talent and experience and coming off a year where the Cyclones went 20-8 and got to the Upper State championship. They also have one of the nation's best prep guards, scoring machine Devan Downey, who just signed a scholarship with the University of Cincinnati." - Buzzfans.com

Visited Sept 18th, 2004. Verballed Sept 19th.

11/15/04: Signed per RivalsHoops.com

11/15/04: Picture
http://www.chick-fil-aclassic.com/team_detail.shtml#cyclones

11/11/04: "Downey averaged 25.6 points and 6.0 assists last season as a junior at Chester High School. "He'll be a perfect point guard," Gibbons said. "He and Tyree will team up to give the Bearcats an outstanding future backcourt." - Enquirer.com

10/15/04: Listed as the 36th best player in his class. - Recruiting Nation

10/14/04: Listed as the 67th best player in his class. - Bob Gibbons' All-Star Sports Report

10/04/04: "Cincinnati-bound Devon Downey was in Austin, Texas, this past weekend on an official visit. However, the diminutive 5-9 South Carolina native is still firmly committed to the Bearcats." - theInsidersHoops.com

09/28/04: Listed as the 74th best player in his class. - PrepStars.com

09/21/04: From Downey's hometown newspaper -
Even before leaving town following a weekend campus visit, Chester High School basketball standout Devan Downey made an oral commitment to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Before heading back to Chester on Sunday afternoon, he told coach Bob Huggins of his decision. Oral commitments are not binding, but Downey is expected to sign during the early signing period Nov. 10-17. "I'm pretty happy with my choice," said Downey, a 5-foot-9 point guard. "I like coach Huggins a lot, and I felt Cincinnati was a good place for me to play college basketball. Coach Huggins told me I had a chance to start next year, that I would at least be playing a lot. But I'm going up there to be a starter, and I'm going to work hard to be in the lineup when the season starts. I think I'm ready. I'm a competitor and I can compete at any level. Being only 5-9 will not be a problem for me. It's all about playing hard, and I've never shied away from good competition."

Downey also considered Texas, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas and South Carolina. He visited Tennessee and Arkansas.

Last year as a junior, Downey averaged 25.5 points per game and led the Cyclones to the Class AAA Upper State championship game, where they lost to J.L. Mann. He was chosen The Herald's Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and drew national attention after his junior season.

Downey competed in the NBA Players' Association Camp in Richmond, Va., the Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis and the Nike Peach Jam in Augusta, Ga. After the Nike All-America Camp, he was ranked as the third-best guard nationally by Rivals.com. Insiders.com has Downey ranked as the 38th-best player nationally in his class and the seventh-best point guard. He is rated the 11th-best point guard nationally by the Athlon College Basketball Magazine, and is listed a high-honorable mention in the Street & Smith's 2004-2005 College Basketball Magazine." - Chester Herald / Buzzfans
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09/21/04: Point guard Devon Downey canceled his visit to Texas after committing to the University of Cincinnati on Sunday. The 5-foot-9 senior from Chester (S.C.) High School is the Bearcats' second commitment for the class of 2005, joining guard Tyree Evans of Richmond, Va. "I just like the program and the players," Downey said. "The most important things was meeting (head coach Bob) Huggins and (assistant Andy) Kennedy. They let you be yourself. I feel real comfortable there." Downey also visited Arkansas and Tennessee before visiting UC this weekend.

He will have a chance to contribute right away. Last season he averaged 25.6 points and six assists a game and is ranked the 37th best player in the Class of 2005 by TheInsiders.com and one of the top 10 point guards. "I plan and coming and start, because I'm a competitor," Downey said. "But if I have to come off the bench, I'll do that. What I really like about Huggins is that he lets you play your game. He doesn't want me to just be a distributor. I'm a scorer, too."

His AAU coach, Dion Bethea of the South Carolina Ravens, said Downey has a very good all-around game. "He is so electrifying, the smallest opening and he can get to the basket," Bethea said. "He's a tough ballplayer. He's a real good team player. He's going to be the little big man on campus as soon as he puts on that Cincinnati uniform." - www.CincyPost.com

09/20/04: ". . . Cincinnati had been on Eaton's list of finalists as well, but now they've addressed their point guard situation anyway. Bob Huggins' program secured SC PG Devan Downey, a big scorer whose excellent quickness and scoring off the dribble made him a darling of high-major coaches during the summer. Downey, a 5-10 jitterbug out of Chester (SC) High, picked Cincy over Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas and Illinois." - PrepStars.com

09/20/04: "The verbal commitment by Downey also is interesting, because he's pint sized point guard who makes things happen in transition, creates havoc defensively, and shoots the light out. In other words, this might be the point guard who makes Cincinnati fans forget about Nick VanExel and Steve Logan." - HoopScoop

09/20/04: ENQUIRER ARTICLE
The University of Cincinnati basketball program landed its point guard of the future Sunday when coach Bob Huggins received an oral commitment from Top 50 recruit Devon Downey.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Downey, from Chester (S.C.) High School, visited the UC campus this weekend. He flew home at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, consulted with his parents, then called Huggins at about 5:30 p.m. to tell him he planned to sign a letter of intent during the fall signing period in November. "I love Cincinnati, and I just love the coaching staff and the players," Downey said. "I like coach Huggins. I feel like I can go somewhere where I don't have to change who I am. He lets you be who you are."

Downey averaged 25.6 points and 6.0 assists last year as a junior. He's considered a Top 50 recruit by most recruiting services.

He visited Arkansas and Tennessee and had scheduled a visit with Texas. He was also considering Illinois. But after his UC trip, he made his decision. "It was an opportunity for him to go to a good situation," said Dion Bethea, Downey's AAU coach on the South Carolina Ravens. "Cincinnati is known for producing real good guards like Nick Van Exel and Steve Logan. Huggins allowed them to shoot the ball. That's what Devon likes to do."

Said Downey: "I think I'm a scoring point guard. I don't see any reason why I should go into a situation where a coach is going to put handcuffs on my game. Coach Huggins is going to let me play my game."

Downey is the second player to commit to UC for the 2005 recruiting class, joining Tyree Evans, a 6-3 shooting guard from Richmond, Va." - Enquirer.com
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09/19/04: "They’ve been my leader but I never did come out and say that. I never did show them or tell that they were leading. They told me that they were happy and they were going to love coaching me.” - theInsidersHoops.com

09/19/04: "I was up there for a visit this weekend and decided to do it," an excited Downey told Hoopmasters.com. "I felt like it was meant to be because I had fun without going to a football game or any of that other stuff. I loved the school, coaching staff, and the players - it was where I wanted to be." - HoopMasters.com

09/19/04: "Downey, the No. 42 ranked player in the class of 2005 by Rivals.com, took the summer by storm with his ability to score with the big boys and he hopes to continue his tear for Bob Huggins at the University of Cincinnati. The Bearcats ability to develop smaller guards was appealing to Downey. “Coach Huggins has always told me to be myself and just play my game and the rest will take care of itself,” he said. “He’s been successful with smaller guards like Steve Logan and Nick Van Exel. I just felt that was the best fit for me in the end.” - RivalsHoops.com

09/17/04: A PG named Sean McCurdy just committed to Arkansas, who was competing with Cincinnati for Downey and Clemente's services. This improves Cincinnati's chances.

09/17/04: "A jet on the court who has above average ball-handling ability and a deadly outside shot, Downey thrives in a fullcourt game. He also can be pesky on the defensive end and makes up for anything he lacks in size with heart and determination. Downey has researched each school extensively on the Internet and is looking to make a decision for comfort." - PrepStars.com

09/14/04: "Devon Downey, a 5-foot-9 point guard from Chester, S.C., will make an official recruiting visit to the University of Cincinnati this weekend as the recruiting season heats up. Downey averaged 25.6 points and 6.0 assists last year as a junior at Chester High School. He's considered a Top 50 recruit by most recruiting services. "He's probably one of the quickest kids in the country with the ball from free-throw line to free-throw line," said Chester coach DeAndre Scott. "He's able not only to create shots for himself in transition, but for other players. That was his biggest asset this summer. He showed people he could do both."

Scott said Downey has worked hard during the offseason on improving his shooting range. "He's really shot the 3 well this summer," Scott said. "That's the biggest thing he's improved at. He could always break down people and get to the basket, but now he's really improved his jump shot. He has a quick release. Being a smaller kid, he has to be able to get the shot off quick."

Downey has already visited Arkansas and Tennessee. He has also scheduled a visit with Texas and is in the process of scheduling one with Illinois. But Scott said if Downey likes what he sees at UC this weekend, he might commit orally. "It's a possibility," he said. "Texas and Illinois are kind of late on the scene, but he's been in pretty close contact with (UC) coach (Andy) Kennedy for the entire recruiting period. "He enjoyed both visits to Arkansas and Tennessee. He's really looking forward to this one. He's intrigued with the success they've had there. He wants to get an up-close look at it. I wouldn't say he's leaning towards them, but you never know." - Cin Enquirer

09/13/04: "My top five are Tennessee, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Texas, and Illinois," said Downey. 'I don't have a favorite. I want to go into all my visits open minded and without a leader. I will probably decide after my final visit." - RivalsHoops.com

09/07/04: Listed as the 76th best player in his class. - HoopScoop

08/31/04: "Devan Downey is not going to visit Maryland this coming weekend. Apparently, the Terrapins cancelled their visit with him early this week. "They said that they didn’t need him to come,” Dion Bethea, Downey’s AAU coach said." - theInsidersHoops.com

08/27/04: The Bearcats' top priority now is to recruit a point guard. Players now scheduled to visit include: 5-11 Byron Eaton, Dallas, TX; 5-10 Devan Downey, Chester, SC; 6-1 Jo'Van Adams, Houston, TX; and 6-1 Marcus Walker, Kansas City, MO." - HoopMasters.com

08/23/04: Rivals reports that Downey will visit on Sept 17th. 'I haven’t talked to Coach (Bob) Huggins but (assistant) Andy Kennedy is pretty cool. He says I could be like the next Steve Logan,' Downey said." He is also set to visit Tenn, Maryland, Ark and Miami FL. Cincinnati is his 4th stop. - RivalsHoops.com

08/20/04: "Listed as the 50th best player in his class. - Prepstars.com

08/20/04: Listed as the 37th best player in his class. - theInsidersHoops.com

08/17/04: Insiders reports that Downey has lined up five visits, including Tennessee, Maryland, Arkansas, Cincinnati (Sept. 17-19) and Miami. - theInsidersHoops.com

08/11/04: "Chester basketball stand-out Devan Downey has narrowed his list of college choices down to six, and expects to make a decision on his destination before the start of his senior season.

Downey announced late last week that he has narrowed the field down to Cincinnati, Arkansas, Maryland, USC, Tennessee and Miami. He had previously considered scholarship offers from Boston College, Florida and UMass. Downey has garnered a great deal of acclaim on a regional and local level with his stellar play and gaudy statistics. He started to become known on a nation-wide level this summer with his play at several national tournaments.

Downey performed very well at the NBAPA (National Basketball Association Players Association) Top 100 camp in Richmond, Va. and at the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis. The real eye opener for college scouts though, was Downey's stand-out performance in the Nike Peach Jam. He averaged 21 points and over five assists per ballgame in the tournament. That performance led him to be ranked as the 38th best player in his class and the sixth best guard in the country by Insiders.com." - Chester News

08/05/04: "In no order, they’re Maryland, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Tennessee, Miami and South Carolina," Downey said. The Terps and Bearcats will definitely get visits and Arkansas is in position for one as well." - theInsidersHoops.com (4 to 5)

08/03/04: Listed as the 42nd best player in his class. - RivalsHoops.com

08/02/04: "The Chester (S.C.) High School standout has a three-point shot that he can shoot from numerous sets and likes to penetrate for easy finishes or pretty assists." - RivalsHoops.com

08/02/04: "Small and speedy, he has toughness that makes his size less of an issue. But it's still an issue. That he is an effective defender does not completely remove the danger he can be overpowered." - DeCourcy, Sporting News

07/29/04: "Small and speedy, he has toughness that makes his size less of an issue. But it's still an issue. That he is an effective defender does not completely remove the danger he can be overpowered." - DeCourcy, Sporting News

07/27/04: "I have about 10 or 11 offers now,” he said of the situation. “Tennessee and South Carolina offered me early, they were the first two. Since the summer started, Florida, Maryland, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Boston College and Auburn are some that have offered." - VolQuest.com

07/24/04: "South Carolina Ravens’ guard Devan Downey cannot, and will not, be controlled. He’s scoring on anyone and everyone." - RivalsHoops.com

07/23/04: Downey receives more college offers
"His play on the Chester High basketball team over the past few years has gotten Devan Downey noticed. His play over the past few months in summer league action has gotten Devan Downey on the national radar.

The Chester point guard currently has 10 scholarship offers on the table from major universities.

Downey will choose between offers from Maryland, Miami, Boston College, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, USC, Tennessee and UMass.

Chester coach DeAndre Scott said Downey's current plan is to make an early decision. "In the next few weeks he will sit down and narrow the list to about four teams and schedule his official visits," Scott said. "He plans to make a decision early. He'll commit before the (basketball) season starts."

Scott said Downey's decision to commit early is a smart one. Players who wait until late are often left competing for a dwindling number of scholarships, taken up by players who commit early.

The bevy of new offers has been prompted by Downey's showing at several national camps. He performed well at the NBAPA (National Basketball Association Players Association) Top 100 camp in Richmond, Va. and at the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis. The real eye opener for college scouts was Downey's stand-out performance in the Nike Peach Jam. "He was the fifth leading scorer at the camp (21 points a game) and was fourth in assists (5 a game)," Scott said.

That ability to both score, and effectively run the offense is one of the things that has made Downey so attractive, especially against the high level of competition at the summer camps he has attended.

Downey is ranked as the 38th best player in his class by Insiders.com and is listed as the sixth best guard. Downey is currently playing in a tournament in Florida with an AAU team based out of Columbia." - Chester News (3 to 4)

07/19/04: Listed as the third best PG at the Peach Jam. – HoopMasters.com

07/17/04: Peach Jam stats in 5 games played.
21 ppg, 2 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1 spg.
46% FG% 35% 3FG% 57% FT%

07/12/04: Downey was listed 7th on a list of ‘top prospects at the Nike All-American Camp based on long term potential’ - RivalsHoops.com

07/10/04: “Another speedster at the camp Devan Downey is wide open still but would like to start narrowing his list after the Peach Jam. He is waiting to see if offers will come from Florida, Cincinnati, Miami, Maryland, and Arkansas.” - RivalsHoops.com

06/23/04: Attended the NBPA Camp concluded yesterday in Richmond where he was ranked 9th best PG in camp. – HoopMasters.com

04/14/04: “Downey said Dave Odom’s Gamecocks are recruiting him harder than anyone else. “They’ve offered me. They did that in the middle of the high school season. “I really don’t have no leader. I’m just looking at more schools to pick the one I want to go.” - theInsidersHoops.com

04/11/04: One of five players named to the Charlotte Observers "All Observer" Basketball team as a junior.

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02/16/04:
Chester's Devan Downey a scoring legend
By Barry Byers The Herald

It didn't take long for Chester's Devan Downey to realize he had more basketball talent than the other players on the floor. He was 7 years old.

In his first organized game in Chester's Biddy recreation league, Downey torched the nets for 29 points. The other players chipped in four points. On that Saturday morning, the Downey legend was born.

Only a high school junior, Downey is considered one of the top players in South Carolina. South Carolina is showing the most interest in Downey, but he's also getting attention from Clemson, Maryland, Florida and Massachusetts, which is sending a coach down to catch one of Chester High School's playoff games. The Cyclones open the playoffs at home on Tuesday.

Downey recently heard from Stanford, but said it's too early to know just how interested the Pac-10 school may be.

The list is mighty impressive, even more considering Downey is a 5-foot-9 shooting guard. He's averaging 27.7 points and five assists per game.

Downey can control the flow. He's a deadly shooter from 3-point range, can break any press and can take the ball to the hoop, where he can dish to the open man or leap over taller players for a basket.

With long braids flowing off the back of his head and held in place by a Nike headband, he's easy to spot.

He is not a gunner. He loves passing. The only thing he hasn't done in a game is dunk. He sometimes throws one down in practice and promises he'll get one in a game before he graduates.

"I'm not saying Devan doesn't have a lot of natural talent, because he does," Chester coach DeAndre Scott said. "But to go along with that talent, he works to make his game better. And the good thing is he's very much a team player.

"In the offseason, most players think they are improving their games by going to the playground and playing five-on-five, maybe touching the ball every third time down the court. Not Devan. He's a gym rat. Out of season, he works on his jumper, his ballhandling, his free throw shooting and he goes to the weight room to work out because he wants to get stronger. I'm here nearly every day in the summer and he's here waiting. I almost have to run him out when it's time to lock up."

Downey is athletic, has speed and would probably be an outstanding football player, which he played in youth leagues. And Downey claims he was a pretty good baseball player back then, but once he got to middle school, basketball became his only sport.

In the offseason, Downey takes 300 to 400 shots each day. He's worn out more balls than he can remember, uses them until they're slick and shiny.

Downey was raised by his aunt and uncle, Mary and Walter White, whom he credits for keeping him headed in the right direction.

Walter White introduced Downey to basketball, putting up a goal in the backyard just before Downey turned seven. "I started shooting and fell in love with the game right away," Downey said. "I realized after my freshman season that basketball might get me in college. I started working hard to get my grades up. I stayed away from situations that might get me in trouble. There are a lot of temptations out there. I have this opportunity in front of me, and I don't want to mess it up."

Starting last year when Chester won a holiday tournament in Florence and Downey was the MVP, his reputation began to spread.

The Cyclones went back to the same event this year but failed to repeat. Downey set records for most points, 47, and most 3-pointers, eight, in a game.

Last summer, Downey traveled to St. Louis to play in the Nike Hoops Tournament, an event for the top 100 freshmen and sophomores in the country. He's been invited to this summer's Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis.

Well before Downey took his game to the national scene, area coaches around South Carolina were aware of his skills. "If a Division I team in the country is looking for a 5-9 guard and has the right people around him, he's the player you need," Clover coach Dudley Lybrand said. "I can't imagine anybody else his size that could be a heck of a lot better. "He has a purpose when he gets the ball. He's become very intelligent in his decision making and getting other kids involved, which makes it easier for him. He's a major talent and has another year in high school to grow. I'd say the main thing he needs to do is add some weight because the college game is so physical."

Scott said he's asked around, and as far as he can find out this is the first time Chester has ever won a region championship in boys' basketball. Downey didn't do it by himself, but is by far the team's star player.

The Cyclones lost their final game of the regular season -- 67-59 to Fairfield Central this past Friday -- and finished 8-2 in Region 4-AAA and 17-7 overall. Chester hosts Seneca at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs.

Downey wants to follow in the footsteps of two former Chester standouts who went on to make names for themselves at the higher levels of basketball.

Allison Feaster starred at Harvard and now plays for the Charlotte Sting of the NBA. William Gallman played for the South Carolina Gamecocks. "I don't know Allison, but she's famous around here,'' Downey said. "I play pick-up ball with William at the rec center, and I ask him for advice on my game and how to handle the recruiting.

"He's never tried to push me toward South Carolina ... tells me that's a choice I'll have to make when the time comes. He encourages me and tells me to stay in the books, that grades are important, and to get stronger because the college game is physical. He's been there, so I listen when he talks."

With an opportunity to gain more exposure this summer and another year of high school basketball, Downey has plenty of time to think about college. He's prepared to play the "wait-and-see'' game, and will chose the school that presents the best opportunity to play early.

Meanwhile, he'll just try and be himself. "I'm a humble person who likes to joke around and have a good time," he said. "I'm just like the other players. I'm getting a lot of recognition because of my game, but I'm not ever going to think I'm better than anybody else as a person." - heraldonline.com

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01/21/04: The small town of Chester, SC, is the home of one of the best point guards in the Class of 2005. The ultra-quick player is so good that he's been dubbed, "Baby Iverson." he's starting to hear from the likes of Cincinnati, Maryland, and St. Louis to name a few. "I'm going to hold off on my recruiting until the summer is over with," Downey said. “ - HoopMasters.com