Ja'Quan Newton commits to Miami basketball program

There are still some remnants of summer left, and Ja'Quan Newton can relax and bask in some sun.

The talented 6-foot-2 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) senior guard whose stock skyrocketed this summer will be getting sun year-round soon, as he committed Wednesday to Miami.

Newton, one of Philadelphia's prized recruits along with Archbishop Carroll 6-6 junior Derrick Jones, choose Miami over Syracuse, Oregon, UCLA, Minnesota and Texas A&M.

"It's a relief," Newton said. "Miami runs the same stuff I've done throughout high school and with my [AAU team], pick and rolls, and guard play. I thought it was the perfect fit for me. Miami was one of the schools there from the beginning. I kind of knew for a while I wanted to go there."

But when Newton dropped Villanova from his final list of six, the intensity began to increase.

The local Wildcats fell off when Phil Booth of Mount St. Joseph's (Baltimore) committed to Villanova in late July. That ruled out the Wildcats and coach Jay Wright.

"It's been a little nerve-racking for Ja'Quan these last couple of weeks, because everyone was coming on a little stronger, especially after Villanova dropped out of the mix," Saints coach Carl Arrigale said. "I think that sped up his thought process in terms of some of these schools putting the heat on.

"He was getting a lot of phone calls and coaches selling their programs a little harder. I think he always wanted to have it done before his senior season. It was between Miami and Syracuse. I think he really wanted to go to Miami all along though. Minnesota was coming on really strong late, and so was USC and Oregon. There was a lot coming at him. But I think Ja'Quan handled it all really well. Miami and Villanova were on him the longest."

Arrigale also said Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga didn't miss a game Newton played this summer. Not that Newton had to sell himself any more, but scoring more than 20 points during the Super Showcase in Orlando certainly didn't hurt his stock.

"Ja'Quan really liked Miami and they did a good job with following him and their style fits him — and that's important," Arrigale said. "He's chosen a place that fits his ability and they let their guards make plays at Miami, so it works."

"Ja'Quan geared toward this summer to make a choice. This July was a live period and he played against the best and wanted to show the country what he can do and he did. He's had as good a summer as anyone I've ever coached. He was a monster on the trail this year and he did really, really well. A lot of schools come on late. The funny thing was, he was still happy with the schools that were recruiting him. Indiana called a little later, Oregon, USC and Minnesota. I guess Ja'Quan wanted to enjoy the sun."

Newton will have plenty of time left this summer to do just that.

"It's done, it's over, I can enjoy my senior year and just play, not have to worry about where I'm going," he said.