WVU Recruit Macon Plays in Morgantown - WVU Football, WVU Basketball, News - Mountaineer Sports

The Prime Time Shootout annually brings top high school talent to Morgantown for a basketball showcase. The event is taking place at University High School. It tipped off on Friday with a future Mountaineer taking part.

Huntington Prep's Elijah Macon admittedly did not have his best game scoring just a handful of points, "I wouldn't say I was really focused this game. I started a little slow and picked it up a little bit in the second half."

Macon is essentially learning to play a different type of basketball. He added 15 pounds in the past year, which threw his conditioning a little out of whack.

"I came down here and was 225," Macon said. "I'm like 240 now. I'm working on losing a lot of body fat and make up more muscle now."

Macon needs to get into better shape to be ready to play under WVU Head Coach Bob Huggins. Huntington Prep has a good weight-training program. Macon hopes that will help get him ready to play college basketball.

"Before I transferred to prep school, I never worked out much," Macon said. "Now I'm heavier, so that is why I am a little out of shape because I'm trying to get used to it and learn how to work with all of the weight."

Macon is working hard to get his strength up as well as his grades. He is stronger and his grades are improving.

"My GPA has gone up from my old school," Macon said. "I did summer classes before I transferred to prep school. That's why I missed a lot of big AAU tournaments."

Macon heard cheers from the WVU basketball fans in attendance. Those cheers began during player introductions and continued throughout the game. Macon admittedly did not play with a lot of energy Friday night. He knows that must change when he gets to WVU.

"(I will bring) a lot of energy once I get in shape," Macon stated. "I want to play my role once I get there. If I do get a starting position, I will work hard for it. It will be another young team, but I think we will be real good next year. Me coming in, I will help on the boards and stuff like that."

Helping on the boards is one of the best ways to earn playing time under Bob Huggins. Macon said he is excited to get to Morgantown and begin learning under Huggins.

"I will be very excited because of his background and how many people he has put in the NBA and how many people he has coached," Macon stated. "To play under him next year will be fun, he is a hall of fame coach."

Macon will be in attendance when WVU takes on Cincinnati Saturday afternoon. He will see WVU play a Big East Conference game. However, by the time he arrives at West Virginia University, it will be a member of the Big 12.

"I heard about that after I left my Pitt official (visit)," Macon said. "I talked to my mom about it, but it didn't really phase me. It's another conference to play against different teams. I think going to the Big 12 will be good anyway because the Big East won't be as good as it was in past years. I think it will be good for us."

Macon will continue to work towards his career as a WVU basketball player. For now though, he gets to enjoy playing high school ball for a little longer. He was upset with his performance Friday night, but will get the chance to make up for it Saturday night at University High School.