Video – VCU defeats Northeastern

With the news of Kasey Wilson’s decommitment 2 weeks ago, the VCU staff got to working hard to replace him. The hard work paid off. With just a 2 week turnaround VCU got great news yesterday when 6’8, 240 pound PF Heath Houston gave his commitment to Shaka Smart and the VCU coaching staff. Houston was a part of Auburn’s #6 rated national class for 2010 (#2 in the SEC behind Kentucky) and signed with Jeff Lebo in the fall over offers from Cincinnati, Winthrop, and Tulane. With Jeff Lebo’s firing this spring, Houston decommitted after Tony Barbee took the reins at Auburn. He was named 2nd team All-State in Georgia at the 4A classification. Interestingly enough we are trading a Georgia player (Issiah Grayson) for another one hailing from the same state. Houston ultimately chose the Rams over ECU where Jeff Lebo (the coach he signed with at Auburn) was really after him to become a Pirate. Clemson out of the ACC and fellow CAA-member Drexel were battling for Houston’s services as well. Houston is a 2010 commit who will join Juvonte Reddic, Reco McCarter, Toby Veal, Rob Brandenberg, and DJ Haley. The Fab Five have now become the Super Six.

Houston has a college-ready body at 6’8, 240 pounds and is a face-up 4 who is pretty skilled and has a nice jumper out to 20 feet. He’s yet another lefty who will be a great on-the-ball defender in the press for the Rams. He is not highly-rated by recruiting services (83 ESPN grade, Scout 2 star, unranked by Rivals), but his offers do speak for themselves. He has a high-major body and has shown flashes of high-major ability during his high school career. While he may not be an impact player in the SEC, he is more than good enough at the CAA level. He will be a steady 4-year player for the Rams who won’t be flashy, but will get the job done. He is also a fairly good athlete (though not as explosive as Toby Veal) who will give us even more frontcourt depth with Jamie Skeen, Toby Veal, Juvonte Reddic, and DJ Haley.

VCU’s Coaching Staff is recruiting at a very high level with well-regarded players and building for a bright future. Just when we thought the 2010 class couldn’t get any better, we get a SEC decommit to cap off the class! Awesome stuff from Shaka and crew! Ladies and Gentlemen, I officially present the full VCU 2010 recruiting class: Reco McCarter, Juvonte Reddic, Toby Veal, Rob Brandenberg, DJ Haley, and Heath Houston! GO RAMS!