Over the summer, Artis suited up for Nike Baltimore Elite on the AAU circuit, drawing rave reviews from scouts for his play. During NBE’s run to the Super Showcase tournament championship in Orlando last July, Artis caught McLeod’s eye. That led to talks between McLeod and Carlton “Bub” Carrington, a good friend and Nike Baltimore Elite’s president and general manager.

“It was a conversation where he was saying the kid really needs help and he’s got a lot of talent and would you be interested. At the time, I was putting together a team. We both were giving something to each other, obviously being able to help him mold his talent and use that talent to make me look like I know what I’m doing,” McLeod said with a laugh. “I saw a lot of talent. And I wanted to be able to try to prepare his body and his game because his talent is limitless with the way he passes the ball, his basketball IQ and his handles. But his talent really piqued my interest when I saw how tough he was in Orlando.”

Before McLeod and Artis made the transfer to St. Benedict’s official, there were additional talks with the former Dunbar standout’s family. McLeod wanted to make clear that St. Benedict’s – which went 20-1 last season and finished No. 2 in MaxPreps.com’s national rankings – would provide an opportunity Artis needed to take seriously.

“When he came here, I sat him and his dad down,” McLeod said. “Then we had a second meeting with the headmaster to let him know that this is a place that’s going to be no-nonsense, that if he doesn’t try, he’s probably going to end up at a junior college. If that’s what he wants for himself, then don’t do any work. He said he can do it. And our environment, because of our ability with on-campus housing to provide a stable environment and academics, if he’s going to have a shot, then this is the place he’s going to do it at.”

McLeod said it’s too early to predict St. Benedict’s starting lineup, but he does think Artis will fill a jack-of-all-trades role. Artis’ recruitment is in its infancy now, but with a prime role on a nationally ranked team, that could change in a hurry.

“I know Alabama and Seton Hall have come to watch him [and] a lot of mid-majors,” are involved, McLeod said. “George Mason really loves him, and they’ll obviously evaluate him and see how he fits in. But he’s going to be a really special player because of his ability to pass. Not all kids enjoy passing the ball these days. And he loves it. Sometimes I have to get on him to take shots because he’s always trying to pass the ball. But he understands the game at a high level."