Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach, VA) shooting guard/small forward Chris Clarke will stay in-state, after all. One week after announcing a commitment to Tennessee, the 6’6″ senior has had a change of heart and now plans to attend Virginia Tech.
TSL basketball recruiting guru Rev. Zeke reported Clarke’s “flip” earlier this afternoon. Cape Henry head coach Mark Hall, who guided the Dolphins to a state title in 2011/2012 and a title game appearance last season, has since confirmed the news to TechSideline.
Clarke averaged 12.5 points per game for Boo Williams’ 17-and-under AAU squad this past spring and summer. He has risen in the recruiting ranks as a result of his play this year, which has also included quality performance the 2014 NBPA Top 100 (see some highlights from below), and is now rated a 4-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals, Scout and ESPN.
Virginia Tech now has three commitments in the class of 2015, including Clarke, 3-star point guard Justin Robinson and 4-star power forward Kerry Blackshear. Tech is currently projected to have 14 players on scholarship in the 2015/2016. Each Division 1 program is only allowed 13 in a given season, so there will have to be some attrition.
Some clever student will start a Buzz Saw section in the stands.
This kid is a player. While some didn’t like losing Thompson, Emelogu and Barksdale…..we got rid of some average talent to bring in some top notch talent for the future. Knowing this was a multi year project, I love the moves…this kid is a stud and is a Buzz style player. What a class already
Regarding now having 14 projected scholarship players next year- No inside knowledge and NOT saying it will happen but JVZ will be a 5th year senior next year. Has anyone considered that he may want to graduate and turn pro somewhere? I doubt it but who knows?
Boy, I hope not. JVZ is the only true post/center the Hokies have. The other guys are going to require some more time in the oven to bake.
Great news!!! Keep them coming Buzz!
Whoever has the fewest minutes this year will want to look elsewhere.
It will all work out
We are now in an era of annual transfers
This is son encouraging. It might be a year or two away, but this team is becoming relevant quickly.
VBood news, but who is the Buzzer going to run off now?
Someone will be dissatisfied with their fit into the program – personality, lack of playing time, etc. and leave. It happens in every program.
Correct. A Marquette fan stopped by the message board at HoopsIntel.com and put up this excellent post about how the program is likely to look under Buzz:
“A few things to consider with Buzz, first, you are going to be dealing with a lot of transfers. Not just the JUCOs coming in, or graduate transfers, but transfers out.”
http://chat.hoopsintel.sportswar.com/message_board/hiboard/2014/June/11/5189259.php
Well we should be used to that by now
I’m totally fine with that as long as the transfers out are because they are being passed up for better talent/production. Hopefully we’ll be done with transfers out because of negative experiences with the program/coaches/other players.
Hopefully Clarke will keep his hair style and we can call him the Predator.