Post by elp525 on Mar 5, 2011 7:26:24 GMT -5
March 4, 2011
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
Dominique Rutledge, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward, has committed to play for West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins next season.
Rutledge, 235 pounds, is earning his academic credentials at Western Texas College after four stops since his days at Malcomb X Shabazz High in Newark, N.J. The player said Friday night he's "ready for stability" at WVU.
"I'll be done here in May," Rutledge said. "I'll have two years to play. I needed some summer classes and to rehab an injured wrist. This has been great because I've been able to do that, get stronger and smarter and practice with the team here. I'm almost where I want to be."
Rutledge is known as an athletic mid-range scorer who can also rebound. He's said to possess good ball skills and energy. Additionally, he is ambidextrous.
"I didn't play ball until my junior year [at Shabazz]," Rutledge said. "Then I went to prep school at Edison [N.J.] Academy, where I got a lot of exposure. I played elite AAU ball."
That wasn't the extent of Rutledge's travels, though. He played a year at Hutchinson [Kan.] Community College and another at Miami [Fla.] Dade College before hitting Texas, where he said he's technically redshirting.
"I'm sitting out," he said, "to get my degree."
Along the way, Rutledge said he received offers from Marquette, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Providence and St. Joseph's. There was serious interest from, among others, Auburn and Colorado. He committed to Marquette but eventually signed with St. Joe's.
Rutledge said he gave Huggins his commitment Thursday night.
"I always liked the way West Virginia runs its offense," Rutledge said. "I like how [Huggins] uses his bigs. When I found out he was interested, I jumped right now."
Rutledge said he's projected as a power forward, but once he hits Morgantown wants "to show what all I can do. I can face up to the basket."
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
Dominique Rutledge, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward, has committed to play for West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins next season.
Rutledge, 235 pounds, is earning his academic credentials at Western Texas College after four stops since his days at Malcomb X Shabazz High in Newark, N.J. The player said Friday night he's "ready for stability" at WVU.
"I'll be done here in May," Rutledge said. "I'll have two years to play. I needed some summer classes and to rehab an injured wrist. This has been great because I've been able to do that, get stronger and smarter and practice with the team here. I'm almost where I want to be."
Rutledge is known as an athletic mid-range scorer who can also rebound. He's said to possess good ball skills and energy. Additionally, he is ambidextrous.
"I didn't play ball until my junior year [at Shabazz]," Rutledge said. "Then I went to prep school at Edison [N.J.] Academy, where I got a lot of exposure. I played elite AAU ball."
That wasn't the extent of Rutledge's travels, though. He played a year at Hutchinson [Kan.] Community College and another at Miami [Fla.] Dade College before hitting Texas, where he said he's technically redshirting.
"I'm sitting out," he said, "to get my degree."
Along the way, Rutledge said he received offers from Marquette, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Providence and St. Joseph's. There was serious interest from, among others, Auburn and Colorado. He committed to Marquette but eventually signed with St. Joe's.
Rutledge said he gave Huggins his commitment Thursday night.
"I always liked the way West Virginia runs its offense," Rutledge said. "I like how [Huggins] uses his bigs. When I found out he was interested, I jumped right now."
Rutledge said he's projected as a power forward, but once he hits Morgantown wants "to show what all I can do. I can face up to the basket."
