Walton-Verona’s all-time leading boys’ basketball scorer has found his next home.
The Bearcats’ Aaron Gutman recently announced his commitment on X to the University of Evansville.
“100% committed, excited to be a Purple Ace!,” Gutman said in the post.
Gutman’s recruitment was rather quiet until after the season. He had offers from Georgetown College, Union and Walsh leading into and during his senior year, but after he showcased what he could do at the Kentucky-Ohio All-Star game, more offers started to roll in. Mississippi College, Delta State, Fairmont State and PennWest University of California (PA) came calling and then Evansville.
It wasn’t due to his play on the court in his senior season. Gutman led Northern Kentucky in scoring this season with 23.3 points per game, doing so efficiently as he hit a shade under 50% of his shots from the field (49.8%), knocked down 67 three-pointers and 64% of his free throw attempts. He led the team in rebounding with 6.9 per game as he helped lead the Bearcats to a 21-13 record and the 8th Region semifinals.
“He’s such a versatile player,” Bearcats coach Mike Hester said. “If you want him to guard 1-5 he can do it. He handles the ball, plays on the perimeter and is great in transition.”
He finished his Bearcats career with 2,050 points, 675 rebounds and 143 three-pointers made. The point total record was held Lloyd Poore for nearly 70 years, set in 1958. Gutman was selected as the Co-KABC Player of the Year in the 8th Region this past season, along with Woodford County’s Armelo Boone, a Western Kentucky University commit. He made the 8th Region All-Region team and 8th Region All-Tournament team.
At the Kentucky-Ohio All-Star game, Gutman was one of the leading contributors for the Kentucky All-Star team, posting 13 points with two blocked shots, a steal and an assist.
At 6-foot-7 and his ability to stretch the floor with his jumper, Gutman was an under the radar recruit that could certainly translate his game well to the next level.
He’ll join an Evansville team coming off an 11-21 season and a first round exit in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The Purple Aces finished tied for eighth in regular season conference play, going 8-12.
Gutman will also play for the Kentucky All-Star team in their two game series with the Indiana All-Stars in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star games June 6-7.
He’s set to head to Evansville the day after to join the team on June 8 for summer conditioning and workouts.