NEW HAVEN, Mich. -- Romeo Weems, the top basketball recruit in the state's 2019 class, has made his decision. He will be attending DePaul.
"It was a tough decision," Weems said shortly after putting on a blue DePaul hat. "I know everyone is going to ask, 'why DePaul?' and everything. But why not DePaul? They asked when I came to New Haven, 'why New Haven?' I've always been different."
Announcing his commitment in a ceremony at New Haven High School on Tuesday afternoon, the 6-7 power forward picked DePaul over Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon, all of which were part of his top five teams. He is rated as a four-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite and is ranked as the No. 7 power forward and 37th player overall in the 2019 class.
Despite Michigan State being rumored as a favorite throughout his recruiting process, Weems said he "never really had a favorite college" during his recruitment. Weems' mother said that they did not notify any of the schools of his decision prior to the announcement.
Citing that he based his choice off of pro potential, Weems was questioned on that statement considering that DePaul hasn't had draft selections since Wilson Chandler and Sammy Mejia were drafted in 2007.
"I've got a good relationship with the coaches," Weems said, citing DePaul assistant coach Tim Anderson playing a big role in his recruitment.
Expected to be a front runner for Mr. Basketball next season as a senior, Weems averaged 23.5, points 10.8 rebounds, 5.3 assist, 4.8 steals and 2 blocks per game for New Haven this last winter as a junior. Weems also scored 590 points in 25 games taking him to 1,497 total career points, bringing him closer to the New Haven school record of 1,840. He also worked on his shooting from the perimeter this winter, shooting 51-for-126 (40 percent) from 3-point range.
In the region championship victory over Detroit Country Day, Weems collected a quadruple-double with 21 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists and 10 steals. He also had 7 blocks to finish just shy of a quintuple-double.