Marcus Shaver‘s apprenticeship with former NBA point guards will continue in college.

The 6-foot-3 All-Arizona point guard from Phoenix Shadow Mountain said he has committed to playing basketball at the University of Portland, which is led by former Portland Trail Blazers guard and one-time Suns coach Terry Porter.

Shaver, who averaged 22.4 points, 2.5 assists and 2.7 steals, leading Shadow Mountain to the 4A state basketball championship, signed with UC Santa Barbara last November. But after UCSB coach Bob Williams was fired, Shaver was able to get out of his scholarship and begin the recruiting process all over.

“I chose Portland because I wanted to continue my growth,” Shaver said.

Shaver, who spent the last two years playing for prep academies in the Dallas area, felt he developed quite a bit in one year under former NBA point guard Mike Bibby at Shadow Mountain. Bibby spent 14 seasons in the NBA after playing two years at the University of Arizona.

Porter, who coached the Suns in 2008-09, spent 17 seasons in the NBA. He had his jersey retired by the Trail Blazers.

He will be in his second season as head coach of the West Coast Conference school, which plays in the same conference as Gonzaga, BYU and Saint Mary’s College.

The Pilots went 11-22, 2-16 in the conference, in Porter’s first season.

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This is considered coup by Porter to get a player of Shaver’s caliber this late in the process from the 2017 class.

“The transition to being coached by Terry Porter,” Shaver said appealed to him.

“Two great point guards that would mentor me,” he said of Bibby and Porter. “Recruiting was not that hard after the release of UCSB. It was unfortunate what happened with Coach Williams. I would have loved to be able to play under him.

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“I wanted to take my time and really see what was out there and what would be the best fit for me. I am really blessed and honored that there were many colleges that were interested in me. I really appreciate all of them.

“I believe that playing under Coach Porter and with the recruiting class that is coming to the University of Portland, I believe we are going to do some great things.”

March 24, 2017

Shadow Mountain All-Arizona guard Marcus Shaver reopens recruiting

Phoenix Shadow Mountain senior point guard Marcus Shaver is looking for another Division I college after being released from his letter of intent with UC Santa Barbara after Gauchos coach Bob Williams didn’t have his contract renewed.

Shaver, 6-foot-3, who signed with the Gauchos in November, made azcentral sports’ All-Arizona basketball team after helping Shadow Mountain go 27-0 and capture its third state championship in four years.

He is getting ready with his Shadow Mountain teammates for next week’s Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals eight-team tournament in New York.

UC Santa Barbara went 6-22 this season but had been to the NCAA Tournament three times since 2002 under the 63-year-old Williams.

“As for right now, I am not looking at any particular schools,” said Shaver, who averaged 22.4 points, 2.5 assists and 2.7 steals for the Matadors. “I am focused on the Dick’s Nationals next week. When I get back, I will focus on recruiting.”

Shaver said he is speaking with a number of schools that are interested.

Assistant coach Mike Warren said that he heard that Utah, Colorado and Clemson have shown interest.

Aug. 21, 2016

Shadow Mountain PG Marcus Shaver commits to UC Santa Barbara

Marcus Shaver left Arizona once already to find a prep school. That didn’t work out well.

He didn’t want to make the same mistake in his search for a college to play basketball.

After careful consideration, the Phoenix Shadow Mountain senior point guard said he has committed to UC Santa Barbara.

He will sign his letter of intent in November.

Shaver is making his return to the Valley for his final high school season after leaving Phoenix St. Mary’s in 2015, once his sophomore season ended.

After the 6-foot-1, cat-quick guard averaged 23 points for the Knights his sophomore year, he took the prep academy route in Dallas, joining Prime Time, which closed in January due to financial problems.

He then went to Advance Prep International, which also was being scrutinized.

“I didn’t want to make the same mistakes as I did in choosing a high school,” Shaver wrote in an email. “As I started to take unofficial visits, I was able to visit a variety of situations on different coasts to give me an idea of where I wanted to be.

“I took a visit to UCSB last week with my family. Known for its education, this was very appealing to me. I was amazed at first glance with the campus as well as the weather. And upon meeting the coaching staff and players, it became clear it was a good fit.”

Shaver weighed the pros and cons with his parents over two days before waking up Wednesday and realizing this was where he wanted to be.

“When I woke up Wednesday morning, the first words out of my mouth was that I was going to commit,” he said. “Brandon Davis, a guard out of California who also plays for Earl Watson Elite, had just committed there. We played together in the Fab 48 this past July. Earl Watson Elite won the Fab 48 in the invitational division. Playing with the right guard in college was very important to me. We work well together. That was another factor for me.”

Shaver should benefit from a season playing for Mike Bibby, who has coached Shadow Mountain to two state championships in three years.

Shaver figures to slide into the role left by Bibby’s son, Michael, azcentral sports’ Big Schools Player of the Year last season, who is now at South Florida to begin his college career.

Shadow Mountain should have another team capable of winning it all with guards Jaelen House and Javon Blacksher back after playing quality varsity minutes as freshmen. Shadow Mountain also returns wing Darion Spottsville, a dual-threat quarterback on the football team, who will be trying to get his third championship ring.

“I haven’t gotten to see him play but if he’s as good as his demeanor in the way he conducts himself on campus, then we’re going to have a lot of fun on the court with him,” Shadow Mountain assistant coach Mike Warren said. “Very polite kid that makes a very good first impression.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.