One high-profile basketball star is being courted by some of the nation's best programs. But what does he think about the Seminoles?
Florida State isn't trying to win over high-profile recruits for football only.
Even Seminoles basketball, under the direction of first-year coach Luke Loucks, is trying to secure top-flight talent.
One top-30 prospect, though, will draw intrigue for fans of Noles hoops.
Woodward Academy of Atlanta star Jarvis Hayes tells Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports that he's interested in FSU -- including sharing these words to the basketball recruiting insider.
"I want to take a visit there," Hayes said. "The staff has a group chat with me and my dad. Obviously, they are taking me seriously and want to build a relationship with me. I have been texting them every week."
It'll mark a massive recruiting coup for the FSU alumnus. Loucks managed to lock in a trio of four stars for the 2026 class including two in-state talents Brandon Bass (Windermere) and Collin Paul (Fort Lauderdale). Center Marcis Ponder of Springfield, Va., is the highest rated FSU signing -- who inked his deal in Nov. 2025.
FSU currently holds no 2027 commits. But Hayes would rise as the highest ranked commit for the class -- plus become Loucks' most highly rated recruit as Hayes owns a current 94 grade by 247Sports (0.9874 per the composite rankings).
The Noles, however, face a fierce gauntlet of powers courting Hayes. Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Georgia Tech and Clemson are after him. Same with Georgia out of the Southeastern Conference.
But of the competing schools, Hayes owns a family connection with one -- the Georgia Bulldogs.
"My dad went there, so I obviously felt the tension of everyone looking at me because they want me to go there. I like Mike White and how his team plays in transition. They play at a fast pace. My dad and I talk about me potentially going there," Hayes said.
Meanwhile, Clemson features a past teammate of Hayes in Zac Foster.
"Zac tells me how they play in transition and how he likes how the coaches treat him. He feels like it's a family over there," he said.
He added how he likes the poise of Yellow Jackets coach Damon Stoudamire, including how the former NBA star "shows no emotion when his players make mistakes."
Hayes is ranked as the 27th-best recruit in the nation. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is "warm" on Florida State.
The Noles, meanwhile, are aiming to erase a recent loss to SMU. They've only won one ACC games this season against Miami.
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