Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
A week after committing to Tennessee, Chris Clarke has flipped to Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-5 guard from Virginia Beach (VA) Cape Henry Collegiate School had initially considered Virginia Tech along with Tennessee, UConn and Creighton.
Clarke Tweeted this picture of himself, with the tagline, “I’m staying home. VT.”
The family added this statement: “After his decision on Tennessee, further communication with the family and discussion came to the opinion it would be better for him and his goals and the family’s situation to remain local. That’s why he’s going to Virginia Tech.”
The change of course comes in the wake of a report by Bleacher Report that the NCAA is investigating the Southern Miss basketball program for potential rules violations that occurred under former coach Donnie Tyndall, now the head coach at Tennessee.
ESPN.com’s Paul Biancardi Tweeted that Clarke’s family was considering the change of plans before the report came out.
Clarke, ranked No. 41 in the class of 2015 by 247 Sports, brings a slashing presence to the Hokies.
“He’s an electric eel,” longtime New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski said of Clarke. “He’s a 6-5 version of Kenneth Faried. [Clarke] plays with the metabolism of a hummingbird and covers the court as well as any player. He’s involved in more plays on both sides of the ball than almost player in the country.
“He’s a guy that really, really high energy and high-intensity. That’s what he brings to a program. There’s no one in high school basketball who plays with more energy and plays every inch of the ball as fully as he does.”
Clarke joins Boo Williams teammate Justin Robinson, a 6-1 point guard, in coach Buzz Williams’ 2015 recruiting class. The Hokies also have 6-8 power forward Kerry Blackshear in the fold.
Clarke averaged 12.5 points this summer on the Nike EYBL circuit, and 14.7 points at the Peach Jam. He made the ZAGSBLOG All-Peach Jam 2nd Team after leading Boo to the semifinals.
ESPN.com previously reported the flip to Virginia Tech.
Photo: Hardy LeGwin
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
A week after committing to Tennessee, Chris Clarke has flipped to Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-5 guard from Virginia Beach (VA) Cape Henry Collegiate School had initially considered Virginia Tech along with Tennessee, UConn and Creighton.
Clarke Tweeted this picture of himself, with the tagline, “I’m staying home. VT.”
The family added this statement: “After his decision on Tennessee, further communication with the family and discussion came to the opinion it would be better for him and his goals and the family’s situation to remain local. That’s why he’s going to Virginia Tech.”
The change of course comes in the wake of a report by Bleacher Report that the NCAA is investigating the Southern Miss basketball program for potential rules violations that occurred under former coach Donnie Tyndall, now the head coach at Tennessee.
ESPN.com’s Paul Biancardi Tweeted that Clarke’s family was considering the change of plans before the report came out.
Clarke, ranked No. 41 in the class of 2015 by 247 Sports, brings a slashing presence to the Hokies.
“He’s an electric eel,” longtime New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski said of Clarke. “He’s a 6-5 version of Kenneth Faried. [Clarke] plays with the metabolism of a hummingbird and covers the court as well as any player. He’s involved in more plays on both sides of the ball than almost player in the country.
“He’s a guy that really, really high energy and high-intensity. That’s what he brings to a program. There’s no one in high school basketball who plays with more energy and plays every inch of the ball as fully as he does.”
Clarke joins Boo Williams teammate Justin Robinson, a 6-1 point guard, in coach Buzz Williams’ 2015 recruiting class. The Hokies also have 6-8 power forward Kerry Blackshear in the fold.
Clarke averaged 12.5 points this summer on the Nike EYBL circuit, and 14.7 points at the Peach Jam. He made the ZAGSBLOG All-Peach Jam 2nd Team after leading Boo to the semifinals.
ESPN.com previously reported the flip to Virginia Tech.
Photo: Hardy LeGwin
