Javon Freeman-Liberty had three official visits scheduled.
It turned out the senior from defending Illinois Class 4A champion Whitney Young needed only one of them.
Freeman-Liberty on Saturday night verbally committed to Valparaiso while on an official visit to the school.
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard had trips lined up later this month to Akron and Florida Gulf Coast, but planned to cancel them.
Freeman-Liberty chose the Crusaders from an offer list of about 15 schools, including Virginia Commonwealth and Saint Louis.
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“It’s very close to home and I had the connection with all the coaches,” Freeman-Liberty said Saturday night.
“The environment, I loved it. It was like a big community. There was a lot of love.”
As a junior, Freeman-Liberty averaged 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the state champ Dolphins.
Freeman-Liberty, who plays his AAU ball for Meanstreets, is considered a top 10 prospect in Illinois in the Class of 2018.
The Crusaders like his winning mentality, athleticism and skill set.
“They told me I can be a combo — guard and wing,” Freeman-Liberty said. “They told me I’m a leader and I’ll have the ball in my hands to score.”
Freeman-Liberty is Valparaiso’s first commitment in the Class of 2018. The Crusaders expect to have two scholarships available, with Canadian guards Tevonn Walker and Max Joseph seniors this season.
Freeman-Liberty also is the nephew of 1987 Illinois Mr. Basketball and former Illinois star Marcus Liberty, whose professional career included four seasons in the NBA.
Freeman-Liberty said his initial plan wasn’t to commit this early, but the fit felt right with Valparaiso.
“I just went with it,” he said.
“I just want to keep getting better and repeat as state champions.”
The early signing period begins Nov. 8.
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff