BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: WEST VIRGINIA

On April 30th, Keith Dewitt committed to Bob Huggins and West Virginia, now, two weeks later, DeWitt Pulls 2009 Commitment from West Virginia (Charleston Daily Mail), believing he rushed into the decision without visiting WVU or looking into how he would fit into the line-up.


Projected 2008-2009 Roster


Seniors: Joe Alexander (SF), Alex Ruoff (WF)
Juniors: Joe Mazzula (PG), Wellington Smith (F), Desean Butler (WF)
Sophomores: John Flowers (F), Will Thomas (G), Cam Thoroughman (F), Jonnie West (G)
Freshmen: Darryl Bryant (PG), Roscoe Davis (BF), Kevin Jones (F)
2009 Commitment: None
2010 Commit: Noah Cottrill (G)



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With scholarship offers from schools like Nebraska, Missouri, Cincinnati and LaSalle, it was a recent offer from Bob Huggins that floored Charis Prep forward Keith DeWitt, "Coach [Bob] Huggins came here," Dewitt told the Charleston Gazette. "He saw I was able to shoot the 3s, handle the ball and do things that most 6-10 players can't. He put the offer on the table."

And that was all it took and DeWitt accepted that offer last night and is the first memeber of the Mountaineer 2009 recruiting class. However, just two weeks later, DeWitt has decided to open the process back up, although he still is very interested in the Mountaineers.

Prior to Charis Prep, DeWitt attended Andrew High in High Point (NC) and will be a post-graduate 2009 recruit. DeWitt is a very raw prospect who is still learning the game as he has not had much experience in organized basketball and past ups and downs in his life has put him behind academically. However, being 6'10 with loads of potential and athleticism, DeWitt could be a very high reward recruit for coach Huggins at West Virginia and is very reminiscent to some of his previous studs at Cincinnati. He is definitely wise to take his time considering by the time DeWitt reaches college, he will be a 22-year old freshman. Reports of legal, personal and family problems kept him out of school and organized basketball the past three years prior to Charis Prep.

Bob Huggins is still aggressively pursuing options to close out the 2008 recruiting class. With one scholarship being held for Joe Alexander if he removes his name from the NBA Draft, the Mountaineers still have a scholarship open and the fans and staff hope Devin Ebanks is willing to accept that offer. Ebanks, the nation's top uncommitted player remaining in the class of 2008, recently visited West Virginia and the Mountaineers definitely helped themselves. The 6'8, 185 lb Ebanks has the versatility and talent to step into Alexander's role and be productive. Ebanks has visited Rutgers, Memphis and texas as well and many believe he is choosing between the Tigers, Scarlet Knights and Mountaineers. Conflicting reports have had Memphis and/or Rutgers not included in the final two, but WVU is consistently mentioned as a finalist. WVU is definitely an appealing option to Ebanks and his advisors because of the possibility of playing Alexander's role. Ebanks is expected to make the decision public by week's end.

If Ebanks opts elsewhere, a player like Teeng Akol, 6'10 big man from IMG could be a possibility as WVU has shown recent interest. Huggins has said recently he fully intends to use the last open scholarship, however, with only one (on paper) remaining in 2009 and with DeWitt on board, maybe concentrating in targets such as Brian Oliver, 6'6 wing out of Oak Hill, Dalton Pepper, 6'5 guard from Pennsbury (PA), Durand Scott, 6'4 guard from Rice (HS) and 6'10 big man Aaric Murray of Glen Mills (PA) would be a more prudent option.

The early recruiting is also evident in the fact that 6'1 Sophomore Noah Cottrell from Poca High School (WV) has made an early pledge to WVU. Cottrell is one of the top rated prospects in the class of 2010.

We will continue to pay close attention to the West Virginia recruiting prospects as Bob Huggins looks to make his stamp on his alma mater.