MBB | Gaels Ink Highest Rated Recruit in Program History, McDonald’s All-American Darius Bivins
5/11/2026 10:33:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — While much of college basketball spring recruiting is focused on the transfer portal, Head Coach Mickey McConnell and the Saint Mary's Gaels were able to earn the commitment of a highly touted incoming freshman for the 2026-27 season with the signing of Darius Bivins. A point guard out of Washington, D.C., Bivins is ranked the 69th best player in his class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is ranked 46th in the ESPN SCNEXT 100, making the highest ever rated recruit to sign with the Gaels.
"We are beyond proud to welcome Darius to our program. Darius becomes the next in line to join the long list of great guards in this program. He comes from a great family and represents everything we want this program to stand for: toughness, humility, work ethic, and a relentless drive to be great," noted McConnell. "His decision to believe in our vision speaks volumes about where this program is headed, and we can't wait for him to get to campus. Today is another step forward in building something truly special at Saint Mary's."
Bivins spent his last two seasons competing for Bishop O'Connell High School, leading his squad to back-to-back VISAA Division I State Championship games. Serving as his team's starting point guard in those two years, Bivins led the Knights in scoring and assists in both his junior and senior campaigns, averaging 11.4 PPG and 3.8 APG in 2024-25 and a whopping 17.4 PPG, 4.6 APG and 3.0 SPG last year.
In his underclassman years, Bivins played for Alexandria City High School. helping the Titans to back-to-back Virginia Section District Four titles. After appearing in just eight games as a freshman, Bivins burst onto the scene as a sophomore, averaging 15.6 PPG, 4.3 APG and 4.4 SPG, leading his squad to the VHSL Class 6 Regional Semifinals.
Following his prep career, Bivins was selected as a McDonald's All-American, competing in the annual McDonald's All-America game in Glendale, Arizona. He played 12 minutes in that contest for Team East. He is the only McDonald's All-American to commit to a mid-major program.
Bivins chose Saint Mary's over the likes of Rutgers, South Florida, Stanford and VCU. He will join incoming freshmen Cooper Lewis and Flynn Pavely, as well as a transfer portal recruiting class currently of five as the new cast joining the six returners on Coach Mickey McConnell's first roster as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Saint Mary's.
#GaelsRise
"We are beyond proud to welcome Darius to our program. Darius becomes the next in line to join the long list of great guards in this program. He comes from a great family and represents everything we want this program to stand for: toughness, humility, work ethic, and a relentless drive to be great," noted McConnell. "His decision to believe in our vision speaks volumes about where this program is headed, and we can't wait for him to get to campus. Today is another step forward in building something truly special at Saint Mary's."
Bivins spent his last two seasons competing for Bishop O'Connell High School, leading his squad to back-to-back VISAA Division I State Championship games. Serving as his team's starting point guard in those two years, Bivins led the Knights in scoring and assists in both his junior and senior campaigns, averaging 11.4 PPG and 3.8 APG in 2024-25 and a whopping 17.4 PPG, 4.6 APG and 3.0 SPG last year.
In his underclassman years, Bivins played for Alexandria City High School. helping the Titans to back-to-back Virginia Section District Four titles. After appearing in just eight games as a freshman, Bivins burst onto the scene as a sophomore, averaging 15.6 PPG, 4.3 APG and 4.4 SPG, leading his squad to the VHSL Class 6 Regional Semifinals.
Following his prep career, Bivins was selected as a McDonald's All-American, competing in the annual McDonald's All-America game in Glendale, Arizona. He played 12 minutes in that contest for Team East. He is the only McDonald's All-American to commit to a mid-major program.
Bivins chose Saint Mary's over the likes of Rutgers, South Florida, Stanford and VCU. He will join incoming freshmen Cooper Lewis and Flynn Pavely, as well as a transfer portal recruiting class currently of five as the new cast joining the six returners on Coach Mickey McConnell's first roster as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Saint Mary's.
#GaelsRise
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