Dancer moving to D1

If the basketball recruitment of Beyer High's George Dancer can be likened to a film title then "Fast and Furious" might be a top choice. It came as a surprise to the recipient but actually was some time in the making.

The 6-foot-3 Dancer has verbally committed to Coach Brian Katz and Sacramento State and he'll make it official by signing a national letter-of-intent in November. The Hornets were watching him for some time and then decided in late June to get Dancer on board.

The background: "I first attended the Sacramento State [team] camp as a sophomore," Dancer recalled. "Then I played in the Nor Cal Spring Showcase in Oakland in late April and I went to [Sacramento State team] camp again in mid-June."

A week later and Dancer was on an unofficial visit in the state capital. "Coach Katz and [Associate Head] Coach [Brandon] Laird told me what they thought about me and offered. I was shocked, it was just crazy. I went home and called a week later to accept. I'll do an official visit in August."

Not caught up with any sense of entitlement, Dancer isn't one of those prospects burdened by a "DI or bust" mindset. "I thought I would get a DII or DIII scholarship, not DI. But my coach [Beyer Coach Kyle McKim] pushed me plus when I would play with college guys, they would tell me "you're good enough for DI."

Here's McKim on his talented guard: "The Sacramento State coaches watched a lot of film of George, saw him play in-person numerous times and took the time to get to know him. They want the right kind of kids there and George is such as good person. He understands being a good teammate comes first and that it's not all about him."

So why the pledge to Sacramento State? It was simple: a matter of feeling comfortable as Dancer explained, "the program is really family oriented. When I was there, the players were coming up to me asking what was up with me."

While the recruiting process may seem like choosing multiple dates for a series of proms, it's actually taxing to a degree for many, Dancer included. "My commitment was a stress reliever -- it was a relief to have the process over. Now, I don't have to worry about making mistakes when I play."

Looking back at both the process and his basketball evolution, Dancer offered, "I want to thank my family and my friends the Gentry's and the Alonzo's."

He's being viewed as a combo guard collegiately.

But first comes another season at Beyer. "We're going to be really tough because we lose only one starter. "The Patriots finished 24-5 last season plus Dancer will have two brothers, a junior and a freshman, alongside him on the squad.