BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: WEST VIRGINIA

May 18, 2008


Commitment Alert: Devin Ebanks, 6'8 (F) from St. Thomas More (CT) Prep.


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), Devin Ebanks (F)
2009 Commitment: None
2010 Commit: Noah Cottrill (G)

John Calipari has not lost much the last couple seasons, either on the court or on the rectuiting trail. So when Devin Ebanks was allowed out of his signed letter of intent to Indiana in the wake of Kelvin Sampson's dismissal as head coach, Memphis immediately went to the top of the list in the Ebanks chase. However, in the end, Ebanks Commits to West Virginia Instead of Memphis (Memphis Commercial Appeal) and Bob Huggins has the big piece to the puzzle that he has been looking for since becoming the WVU head coach.

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Read More Ebanks and WVU's recruiting...Click 'Read More' Below!!!

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Bob Huggins aggressively pursued 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 got their wish as 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 visited Rutgers, Memphis and Texas after re-opening the process and found the Mountaineers to be the right fit for his talents.

Ebanks is a native of NYC and played the last couple seasons at St. Thomas More in Connecticut under Jere Quinn. This past seasn, Ebanks averaged 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in just two seasons.

Ebanks is long and lean and a versatile scorer who could fill a role similar to that of Joe Alexander if the talented WVU junior keeps his name in the NBA draft. The chance to make an immediate inpact at the college level played a big role in Ebanks decision to choose WVU over Memphis and Rutgers, his other finalists.

Ebanks joins a class with Kevin Jones, a 6'7 combo forward, as well as 6'10 athletic big forward Roscoe Davis and NYC PG Darryl 'Truck' Bryant as part of one of the conference's top classes.

Coach Bob Huggins can now fully put his efforts in the class of 2009 and looked like he was off to an intriguing start when Keith DeWitt made a verbal commitment to WVU on April 30th. However, last week, DeWitt withdrew his verbal, and although still considering the Mountaineers, will look at all his options first. With two scholarships open for 2009 on paper, concentrating on 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), 6'6 forward Kevin Parrom of St. Raymond's (NYC), 6'8 power forward Dan Jennings of Oak Hill Academy and 6'10 big man Aaric Murray of Glen Mills (PA) could be the next move for Huggins and his staff.

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.