BLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech has landed its second, and perhaps final, men's basketball commitment for the Class of 2010. It came from Tyrone Garland, a 6-1, 170-pound point guard from John Bartram High in Philadelphia.
Tech coach Seth Greenberg was in the market for a point guard because his starter, Malcolm Delaney, would be a senior in 2010 if he doesn't jump to the NBA after this season, though he has not yet publicly indicated that he intends to do so.
Greenberg thought he would have two point guards in his freshman class this fall: Erick Green and Lamont "Mo Mo" Jones. Green signed a letter of intent in November. Jones orally committed shortly thereafter and was scheduled to sign in April. But he changed his mind and ended up signing with Arizona.
Hank Thorns, Delaney's backup the past two seasons, would have been a junior this season, but he decided to transfer to Texas Christian because he wanted a bigger role. So Green likely will play point when Delaney slides over to shooting guard, his natural position, Greenberg said last week.
Garland also had scholarship offers from Seton Hall, St. Bonaventure, St. John's, St. Joseph's, Temple, Nebraska, La Salle, Butler and Nevada, according to recruiting Web site Rivals.com.
Tech's other commitment is from Jarell Eddie, a 6-7, 209-pound small forward from the Cannon School in Concord, N.C. Rivals rates him the 49th-best player in the Class of 2010 and the ninth-best small forward.
The Hokies have four freshmen coming this season. Also on scholarship this year is forward Allan Chaney, who transferred from Florida during the offseason and is sitting out this season because of NCAA transfer rules. He will be a redshirt sophomore in 2010-11.
If Garland and Eddie end up joining the Hokies and all of their current players remain on the roster, Tech will have 14 scholarship players in 2010-11 - one over the NCAA maximum. But roster attrition could occur in any number of ways (a player transferring or turning pro early, for instance).
Garland and Eddie cannot sign letters of intent with Tech until Nov. 11.
Contact Darryl Slater at (804) 649-6026 or dslater@timesdispatch.com.
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