Richmond basketball announces signing class

This week, Richmond basketball welcomed National Letters of Intent from three tremendous recruits in G De’Monte Buckingham (6-4, 185), G Nick Sherod (6-4, 185) and C Grant Golden (6-9, 210). With all considered three-star recruits by different outlets, the class currently ranks 67th in the nation, according to CBS Sports.

“We are thrilled with the group that we’ve signed for the Class of 2016,” head coach Chris Mooney said. “I love the makeup of this class and I look forward to coaching them.”

Natives of Richmond, Va., Buckingham and Sherod have the local community excited about homegrown talent flourishing at the University of Richmond.

Buckingham is competing in his senior year at Henrico High School, where is the reigning All-Metro Player of the Year in 2014-15, averaging 21.5 points and 9.6 rebounds after helping the Warriors to the 5A state championship. Buckingham has played both the guard and small forward positions in high school. He played through a knee injury for most of his junior year and then had reparative surgery in the offseason.

“De’Monte is an outstanding player who has achieved tremendous success as a prep player,” Mooney said. “He is extremely versatile and can play anywhere on the floor. He is a leader and a winner.”

Sherod attends nearby St. Christopher’s School, where he made 78-of-185 three-point attempts (42 percent) as a junior. He earned a spot on the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association All-State First Team. He was also First Team All-Metro, averaging 25 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals as a junior.

“Nick is one of the best shooters in the country and has proven himself to be a great all-around player,” Mooney said. “He handles the ball well and has a great size for a guard.”

Buckingham played AAU ball for Team Takeover, while Sherod played for Team Loaded. Sherod helped Team Loaded win the adidas Uprising Summer Championship in Las Vegas.

Golden comes to UR as a native of Winchester, Va., but is playing his senior season at St. James School in Hagerstown, Md. He only played three games at St. James last year after breaking his foot. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Sherando HS in Virginia.

Standing at 6-9, Golden will be a force in the Spiders frontcourt in upcoming seasons. He can step out to shoot long-range, as well as score and rebound in the interior.

“Grant is a very good athlete who has great versatility,” Mooney said. “He has a great feel for the game and is as comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter as he is scoring inside the lane.”

All three incoming recruits come from basketball pedigrees. Sherod’s father played at ODU and his grandfather at VCU before playing for the New York Knicks. Golden’s father played at Fairfield University with two grandfathers that played collegiate football. Buckingham’s father played at Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High School.