Junior small forward and wing Darren Buchanan Jr. has become one of the most sought-after basketball players for the collegiate class of 2026 nationwide. Buchanan has been receiving interest from DI basketball programs across the country since his sophomore year, and has built a wide audience of coaches, athletes, and fans through social media, highlight tapes, and traveling to play.

Throughout his ongoing recruitment process, Buchanan has picked up nine Division I offers with full athletic scholarships. His extensive list includes offers from Bryant University, Seton Hall University, University of North Texas, University of Rhode Island, George Washington University, Akron University, Rutgers University, Xavier University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Buchanan explains that the recruiting process can be overwhelming at times, but nevertheless, he loves it and it is a “dream come true.”

In and out of the gym, Buchanan has been training almost every day at home, adapting to life with COVID-19 “working on [his] ball handling and getting stronger.” Luckily though, Buchanan has still had the opportunity to play in games as a member of the club team Team Durant, coached by Wilson head Basketball coach Angelo Hernandez. Buchanan enjoys playing for the Wilson team and loves playing for fans in the Tiger den, but playing outside Wilson offers “that extra experience and the opportunity to see where [he’s] at compared to other players across the country.”

Buchanan shared “Playing both for Wilson and Team Durant shaped me into a better player all around and it really grew my knowledge and love for the game of basketball.” Throughout his journey of recruitment Buchanan credits his support team as “[his] family, Coach Hernandez, Coach Tee, and a few others,” who have been guiding him through the process. Outside of the court, Buchanon is invested in his academics, most interested in his journalism class at school, and also enjoys math.

In addition to his whopping nine offers, Buchanon has garnered the attention of many more schools, attracting interest from the University of Maryland, West Virginia University, University of Virginia, East Carolina University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, and Virginia Tech. Buchanan added how social media has helped him “build a name for [himself] in the basketball world.”

With all the attention on him, Buchanan does not plan on committing until after senior year at the moment in order to “weigh all [his] options and just take time out to really make the right decision.” Buchanan defines his criteria and explains he is in search of a school that will prepare him for life after basketball, adding that “a place with a family environment” where he can be himself is important.

Buchanan has a year and a half left to display his talents on the Wilson hardwood as a tiger, yet he is eager for college basketball and is excited to see what the future holds for him.