Hughes joins UCF family

UCF picked up their first Class of 2016 basketball commitment last week from Clayton Hughes, a 6-foot-5 guard/wing from Jackson, Tenn.

The three-star prospect committed a few days after taking back-to-back Labor Day weekend visits to UCF and William & Mary.

"No doubt, the visit made all the difference," Hughes said. "I already knew I liked the coaches. I had heard a lot about it and then when I got there everybody made me feel at home. Once I saw the team in workouts and was able to talk to them, I felt like they were the kind of men I'd be play under and grow as a basketball player and also grow as a man. The players, after seeing them workout together and interact together when we went to the football game, I really liked the vibe they gave off. It's like a family. They pick each other up. If I'm having a bad week, I know the team will be there to pick me up. I really like their playing style also. I like how they play fast and use the guard position a lot. Plus, the overall City of Orlando, campus and the facilities. I think I'm going to have a good college experience while I'm there. I love it."

Hughes spent the most time with freshman Chad Brown as well as Tacko Fall and Djordjije "George" Mumin.

"We had a tailgate before the football game, the whole team was there," Hughes said. "Really cool guys."

Hughes, who prides himself on his athleticism and jumpshot, says he's being recruited as a guard/forward type player to play on the wing. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals as a junior at the University School of Jackson.

"Coach Jones was talking about how he liked how athletic I was," Hughes said. "How I was an athletic guard that could step out to the line and shoot a three and create shots. Not many guys on the team are athletic and can shoot like I can. I'm prepared to have to work for a position on the team, that's something I would expected anywhere I went. He was talking about how they could utilize my abilities to score and my athleticism on both sides of the court."

After a couple days of deliberating, Hughes placed the call to Jones last Thursday night.

"He was super excited, saying how excited everybody else was going to be too," Hughes said. "He was talking about being ready to start working, eating right, getting bigger and being ready when I come on campus. We had a good talk."

The Knights are aiming for perhaps a couple more additions to the class. Brachen Hazen of Indiana was there with Hughes on the official visit while Bruno Fernando of Montverde visited unofficially.

"I'm hoping they come," Hughes said. "From what I heard, those kids are really good. I got a good vibe from them, they really liked it. Hopefully they can pick those guys up. I think UCF was supposed to have another point guard (Asante Gist) visit this week too."

Growing up, Hughes was a "huge" LeBron James fan as well as Kobe Bryant. Who does he try to emulate?

"I like to model my game after Kevin Durant," Hughes said. "The shots he takes and the kind of moves he makes."

If their schedule allows, Hughes and his family would like to come back down to Orlando this winter to see a home basketball game.

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