As a freshman, Caleb Furst averaged 14 points and 6.6 rebounds per game on a Blackhawk Christian (Fort Wayne, IN) team that went 26-3 and made it to the state semifinals. He poured in 32 points in the Braves’ regional title win, and a month later he received his first Division 1 scholarship offer from Purdue.

This past spring Blackhawk Christian tasted Class 1A championship glory with a 60-43 win over Barr-Reeve. The 6’10” Furst contributed 16 points (7-of-14 shooting) and 10 boards in the state title win, the first in Blackhawk Christian school history.

Seven seniors graduated from Blackhawk Christian last spring, but head coach Marc Davidson likes what he has returning, including Furst, who has established himself as one of the top post prospects in the nation in the class of 2021.

“Caleb continues to progress in terms of skills and size,” Davidson said. “He keeps getting stronger. He has improved athleticism. I saw him strive last year in terms of confidence, level of assertiveness, and I want more of that from him. I think for Caleb that is the next step in his progression, to play with a high level of assertiveness all the time.”

Furst has always been tall for his level. He could dunk a basketball in the sixth grade. He was 6’8” his freshman year before sprouting to 6’10” as a sophomore. Along with plus height is a versatile skill set on both ends of the court.

“He just keeps getting better,” Davidson said of Furst. “He’s fully capable of leading a fast break and handling the ball in open court. I think he shot two 3s last year. This year he’ll shoot more 3s because he has got that kind of range. At the same time, he is so good around the basket. One of the great things about Caleb is he is never satisfied. He continues to work and improve. If he was 6’4” he’d be really good, but being 6’10” and strong and athletic makes him a great prospect.”

Purdue was the first to offer, but the scholarship offer field has grown significantly since. Fellow in-state programs Butler and Indiana have offered. California, Iowa, Louisville, Marquette, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Stanford, and now Virginia have offered as well. After watching the promising prospect on the AAU circuit and at Team USA tryouts, UVA head coach Tony Bennett came through with a scholarship on August 1 of this year.

“Coach Bennett watched open gym and then had a chance to sit down with Caleb, his mom and dad and I and discuss his philosophy,” Davidson recalled.

“Modern basketball being what it is, everyone likes people who can guard multiple positions. That was appealing to Coach Bennett,” Davidson added. “Caleb can switch a ball screen and keep guards in front and at the same time bang with seven footers. His defensively versatility is a huge appeal. He’s offensively skilled too.”

Furst decided to further explore Virginia on an official visit the weekend of September 20-22. Why did he want to give the 2018-19 national champion Cavaliers a closer look?

“Caleb is the kind of kid who loves challenges,” Davidson answered. “That was something Coach Bennett talked about. Coach Bennett said he loves challenges and that was one of the things that drew him to Virginia. I’m guessing that’s something that resonated with Caleb. From that standpoint, it is a big draw.”

How was Furst’s official visit experience in Charlottesville?

“I think it went really well,” Davidson said. “I think Caleb and his mom and dad were really impressed with everything about [UVA]. The basketball team is coming off a national championship. There is the opportunity to play in the ACC, which is the premiere basketball conference in the country right now. Academically, UVA is really good and Caleb is a really good student. A lot of positives.”

Davidson says Furst has taken an official visit to Purdue and has an official scheduled to Michigan State in January. The Boilermakers and Indiana Hoosiers have put the full court press on the standout in-state athlete. UVA seems to have impressed and Michigan State is set to gain a visit. A decision does not appear close, though Davidson indicated Furst won’t wait if he’s sold on a particular school.

“I don’t think he’s going to rush the decision, but at the same time I think he will make a decision when he’s ready,” Davidson said. “There is a circus around him, but he just goes about his business. He’s a very humble kid. That’s a credit to his mom and dad and the job they’ve done in raising him.”

More Virginia Basketball Recruiting News

UVA Eyeing 4-Star Senior Wing

Virginia assistant coaches Jason Williford and Orlando Vandross visited class of 2020 wing Moses Moody at Montverde Academy in Florida.

Moody, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, has not been offered by UVA at this point, but the Hoos are obviously interested. Arkansas (official visit this weekend per 247Sports), Michigan (official visit in Sept.) and Ohio State (official visit in August) are among the many schools that have offered the consensus 4-star recruit.