Miles Sadler Reveals How Ross Hodge Sold Him on West Virginia

As a five-star recruit, WVU basketball freshman point guard Miles Sadler had plenty of suitors before he committed to WVU. On Monday, he revealed why he finally picked West Virginia among the group.

And to put it simply, Sadler said it was Ross Hodge’s honesty and ability to keep it “real.”

“For me personally, it was just like how real he is. Most of the time on visits, coaches tell you everything that you want to hear. He was talking about my flaws and I feel like that really stood out to me because he’s being real,” Sadler said. “And I feel like I do have a lot of things in my game that I need to fine-tweak and develop. So I feel like he’s helping me do that at a great pace right now.”

Hodge’s decision to point out the five-star’s flaws may come as a surprise to many, as it was to Sadler. In a world where coaches want to flatter high-level athletes as a means of persuasion, Hodge offered critique and ways to improve.

Sadler admitted it was a rare tactic when it came to his recruitment, but he saw the value in Hodge’s approach and appreciated it.

“You don’t hear it often. Like when you’re, when you’re a five-star and coming out of high school, like you have a lot of people just saying yes. So you need those people that are going to tell you the real around you and your circle and having your head coach as one of them is definitely a big plus,” Sadler said.

While an uncomfortable process, Sadler knew Hodge’s words were important. He also said Hodge’s ability to be honest early. made his adjustment to WVU easier.

“If he’s going to tell me my flaws, I can only imagine what he’s going to, what he’s going to say when I’m here. So, I mean, that really, it was good that he gave me that, that taste early. And it wasn’t like what I wanted to hear, but it’s what I needed to hear,” Sadler added.

WVU head coach Ross Hodge poses with top recruit Miles Sadler during a visit. (Courtesy of WVU Athletics)

When asked about the freshman class, Hodge emphasized how coachable they are and specifically mentioned Sadler. He believes their willingness to take the coaching offered by him and his staff will help them improve at a faster pace.

“They allow not only myself, but our staff to coach them and tell them the truth. They want to be coached. I think that’s what makes Miles special and the other guys too. Obviously he’s been gifted with a lot of talent, but his willingness to be coached and not walk around like he has all the answers is what allows those guys to get better quickly,” Hodge said in a press conference Monday as well.

Find more coverage of Miles Sadler and WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.