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Coach speak: A.J. Oliver

CENTRAL – A.J. Oliver’s basketball life began before he was introduced to the world.

During his nine months in the womb, his mom was an assistant coach at Virginia.

“Once the game would start, he would stop moving and be still the entire game,” said Audra Smith, who’s in her third year as Clemson’s head coach.

“It was almost as if he was in the womb watching the game.”

It’s been basketball ever since for Oliver, who committed to the Tigers on Tuesday at Daniel High School.

“A.J. being a coach’s kid, he’s got all the intangibles, in terms of being coachable and being a great kid,” said Austin Reid, a coach with the Upward Stars AAU basketball program.