Men’s and women’s hoops land marquee prospects

Men’s and women’s hoops land marquee prospects

By Adam Douglas

Sports Editor

   

 

 

 

The early signing period has begun, and both University of Memphis men's and women's basketball squads were highly active on Wednesday afternoon. On the men's side, 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard Damien Wilson has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Tigers, head coach Josh Pastner announced.

Wilson, from Mouth of Wilson, Va. Oak Hill Academy, is the first to sign with the Tigers and rated the No. 63 overall prospect in the Class of 2012 by ESPNU. While Wilson was expected to sign early after verbally committing last spring, another Class of 2012 signee has yet to sign his LOI. Southwest Dekalb High senior Shaquille Goodwin, from Decatur, Ga., still hasn't made any moves after verbally committing to The University of Memphis via his Twitter account. But head coach Josh Pastner is still content with the signing of Wilson.

"We're very excited to add Damien," Pastner said in a press release. "He's a tremendous player in the open court, and he's great around the rim. He has the potential to be a really high-level defender and rebounder. Assistant coach (Jack) Murphy did an excellent job recruiting him. We are very privileged that he has become part of the Tiger family, and we are excited for his arrival next year."

Not to be outdone by the men, the Lady Tigers basketball team boasts a huge signing class of their own. Head coach Melissa McFerrin's class features six signees and one of the top in the country according to ESPN.com's Hoopgurlz. Hoopgurlz rates Memphis' Class of 2012 as the No. 2 recruiting class by mid-major programs and that was before they added junior college transfer forward Devin Mack from Kishwaukee Junior College.

"The 2012 recruiting class is historic in terms of quantity, but more so in terms of quality," McFerrin said in a press release. "This group of six young ladies brings impressive individual credentials to the table. However, it is their collective focus on winning championships at the University of Memphis that excites me the most."