Swinton becomes first ’24 basketball signee at FSU

By Chuck Walsh
Seminoles.com

AJ Swinton has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton on the first day of the National Signing period. 

This makes the 6-foot-6, 215 pound two-way player the first member of the Seminoles’ class of 2024.

A native of Cabin John, Md., he attends Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Va., is ranked as one of the top two-way players in this years’ recruiting class.

“I am extremely thankful and blessed for the opportunity to play college basketball at Florida State University and for a Hall of Fame coach in coach Hamilton,” said Swinton. “Coach Hamilton and his staff have a great plan for me and appreciate what I bring to a team. From day one of the recruiting process, coach Hamilton has told me ‘You can shoot, you can dribble and do all of the important things that do not make it into a stat sheet.’ 

“I’m excited to be coached by someone who recognized me as a unique creation and who  has a track record of developing players like me. Coach Hamilton has proven he can do that, and I trust him. The Florida State community was wonderful during my recruiting and official visit.

Swinton is proficient at scoring from all three levels, which has made him an attacking defender. His ability to switch and defend all five positions on the court has made him an attractive player to all high-major programs to his entire prep career. He has become a standout player because of desire a to excel on defense and his unselfish play on offense.

He can both defend and play offense well, is versatile, and loves to create opportunities for his teammates and makes plays all over the basketball court. Swinton is known as a confident shot maker who is tough to guard at every position because of his size and athletic ability.

“AJ Swinton is a person and a player who fits our culture and our system perfectly,” said Hamilton. “He’s 6-6, has a 7-1 wingspan, is long and extremely athletic, and is a junkyard dog on defense. He finishes at the basket with authority and is able to switch on all positions, which is one of the staples of our program. We love his motor and when he gets moving downhill, he is tough to contain.”

Swinton was looking immediately to the future at FSU.

“Playing for a legendary coach like coach Hamilton and a powerhouse team like the Florida Seminoles in the future; a future for which I have worked really hard. This future is mine,” he said.

Swinton settled on Florida State after considering offers from Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Villanova, Maryland, Xavier, and Howard.