The Recruiting Guy

Junior college guard's decision makes Papa proud

Little Rock Parkview guard Daryl Macon attempts a shot Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at Hall High School in Little Rock.
Little Rock Parkview guard Daryl Macon attempts a shot Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at Hall High School in Little Rock.

Junior college guard Daryl Macon realized a childhood dream to be a Razorback when he committed to Arkansas on June 16.

It was also a proud moment for his grandfather, Robert Lee Harrison.

Monday was also a big day because Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson, associate head coach Melvin Watkins and assistant T.J. Cleveland made an in-home with Macons in Little Rock.

"They were excited, especially my grandfather," said Macon, who played at Little Rock Parkview prior to going to junior college. "I think he was lost for words. He was just so excited. He was like, 'Man, your coach came to the house today. I can't wait until you get up there'. He was just lost for words."

Macon, 6-3, 185, plays for Holmes (Miss.) Community College and averaged 23 points this past season while earning first-team junior college All-America honors as a freshman. He shot 46.5 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Robert Harrison, 81, was still beaming about the visit after the Arkansas coaches left Little Rock to visit Macon at Holmes later in the day.

"I feel like it warmed his heart," Macon said. "He called me right after they left."

Macon's father died of heart disease when Macon was 2 years old, and his grandfather has filled that void.

" I really didn't know my father growing up," Macon said. "I called my papa my dad. He was my father growing up. He was my father figure in my life. I always turned to him for things."

Macon, who played for the Arkansas Hawks in spring and summer basketball, said his excitement about being a Razorback is surpassed by his grandfather's enthusiasm.

"He's always saying how he wants to see me play on TV and how it would be good for me to play for the Razorbacks," Macon said. "I thought I would stay home and he'll be able to come to a couple of games ... and he'll be happy."

He said his grandfather is a big reason for his success.

"Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today," Macon said. "He's my motivation. He's 80-something and still working as a security guard. It warms my heart that he's proud of me."

Macon chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Louisville, Kansas State and Memphis.

"We talk about everything," said Macon, who noted that his grandfather attended his high school games whenever he could. "The main thing he was always telling me was to keep my head on straight and be a man my father wanted me to be before he died.

"That's something he tells me every time he talks to me."

Macon has worked hard on improving his game and believes he's made progress.

"Going off the dribble is something I've been working on since the season ended last year," he said.

Macon also has been talking to highly recruited guard Malik Monk of Bentonville, who has Arkansas listed among his finalists.

"I just try to remind him playing for his state, your home state, there's nothing else like it," Macon said. "Maybe we can make some things happen and we can go make to the Sweet 16 or the Elite Eight."

UA WOMEN LAND WILLIAMS

Little Rock Central forward Kiara Williams responded to Arkansas Coach Jimmy Dykes' slogan of "Be Arkansas" on Tuesday by orally committing to the Razorbacks women's basketball team.

Williams, 6-1, chose Arkansas over St. Johns, Ole Miss, Missouri State, Southern Miss and others. She took official visits to St. Johns and Arkansas.

"I'm basically a hometown girl," Williams said. "I want to stay close to home, and I like the coaching staff. I feel as if the coaching staff can be like another parent. They're easy to talk to, and I feel like I can go to them for anything."

She earned all-state honors as a junior and was named to the All-USA Arkansas Girls Basketball second team as a sophomore. She also had a good vibe with players on the team.

"I just feel like we had a chemistry," she said. "We all clicked when I went there for my visit."

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 09/20/2015

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