CENTRAL – In front of his family, friends and Daniel High School teammates, A.J. Oliver announced his commitment to Clemson.

The four-star shooting guard picked the Tigers over College of Charleston and Texas Tech.

“I just want to focus on these next two years, academically and basketball, trying to get ready for college,” Oliver said. “I felt like the three schools I had were really what I needed, but Clemson is actually where I needed to be.”

According to Scout, Oliver is ranked as the No. 73 overall player in the class of 2017.

“When it came down to it, I felt like I really wanted to stay in Clemson…so I feel like I need to stay here in Clemson,” Oliver said.

Assistant coach Steve Smith served as the point man for Clemson in the Tigers’ pursuit of Oliver, who’s the son of Clemson women’s coach Audra Smith.

Brad Brownell got the word from Oliver before Tuesday evening’s gathering.

“He was very excited,” Oliver said. “He said that we can do a lot of great things with me and what they have there…I’m excited, he’s excited. Everybody is just ecstatic about the whole thing.”

Especially mom.

“They’re going to mold him into the, not only the best possible basketball player he can be, the best student he can possibly be and the best young man he can possible be,” Smith said. “And, of course, as a mom, it warms my heart and makes me feel good to know that he’s going to be right across the hall for me to see at pretty much every home game…I’m just so proud of his accomplishments and all he’s done, and the mature way he’s handled all this.”