|
ESPN 100 power forward Derek Culver has committed to West Virginia. The Mountaineers were considered the leader for Culver, but he also took unofficial visits to Purdue, Indiana, Xavier, Illinois and NC State. Arizona, Florida, UConn and others entered the mix over the last few months.  “It was the intensity of the recruitment from West Virginia, the relationship with [coach Bob Huggins],” said Andy Vlajkovich, Culver’s high school coach at Warren G. Harding High School (Ohio). “He was a priority for Huggs and the staff from West Virginia did a really good job. They stood out, they came in first and they came [at him] the hardest.”
Culver, ranked No. 78 in the 2017 class, averaged double-figures for Ohio Basketball Club on the Adidas circuit in April. He’s at his best around the basket, finishing in the paint, but can also face up and make shots from the mid-range. Culver is a solid rebounder who is aggressive on the defensive end. His mobility should help in the “Press Virginia” style that Huggins has used the past couple of seasons. “The one thing about Derek is he’s six-foot-10, 225 pounds, and when his motor is running, he’s agile and athletic and runs the floor really well. It should be really good for Derek,” Vlajkovich said. “I know he can play at that pace, and he needs to be pushed to play at that pace. It’s a good fit on both ends. Derek gives them some athleticism, whether they go small or big, and it’s good for Derek, because he’s forced to play at the pace that he can.” West Virginia lost Devin Williams from last season, and the Mountaineers will be looking to fill that void heading into the 2016-17 season. The future up front looks promising, though. Incoming freshman Maciej Bender is a skilled, former four-star prospect, while former ESPN 100 prospect Esa Ahmad will also be on the roster when Culver arrives. Culver is only the third ESPN 100 prospect since 2010 for Huggins, joining Williams and Ahmad. West Virginia now has two commits in the 2017 class, as 2016 point guard Brandon Knapper will do a post-grad year at Hargrave Military Academy (Virginia) before heading to Morgantown. “For Derek, the recruiting process was quite intense,” Vlajkovich said. “At times it became a little overwhelming. There’s definitely a sense of relief on his end.”
|
