This time in basketball.

Pitt received its first verbal commitment for the class of 2006-07 yesterday when Gilbert Brown from South Kent School in Connecticut told coach Jamie Dixon that he wanted to become a Panther.

Brown, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard/forward, chose Pitt over Miami. West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Wake Forest also made scholarship offers.

South Kent coach Raphael Chillious said Pitt is projecting Brown as a small forward but said he can also play shooting guard and some point guard.

“He’s another super athlete in the mold of a Julius Page, but he can shoot it,” Chillious said. “He’ll electrify people on the fastbreak. I’ve never had a wing player who had so many follow-up dunks.”

Brown is actually from Harrisburg, and has been playing with top talent.

“I thought it was the best decision for me,” said Brown, a fifth-year senior who has met freshman eligibility qualifications. “Pitt has great academics, a good business school and a great basketball program, with the opportunity to play as a freshman. Pitt had everything I wanted.”

Brown averaged 16 points, six rebounds and three assists a game for South Kent, which went 32-9 last season and reached the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council finals. He is ranked No. 113 in the Class of 2006 by HoopScoop and No. 127 by Rivals.com.
…
South Kent also featured 6-11 Andray Blatche, who was selected in the second round (49th overall) of Tuesday’s NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, and Division I recruits Mike Evanovich (Iowa State) and A.J. Hawkins (St. Bonaventure). South Kent also produced Dorell Wright, a 2004 first-round pick of the Miami Heat. Brown played with Connecticut’s Josh Boone at West Nottingham.

“They’re not getting a freshman; they’re getting a kid who’s played big-time basketball with big-time basketball players,” South Kent coach Raphael Chillious said. “He’s benefited from playing behind guys like Dorell Wright, Cheyenne Moore and with Andray Blatche. He’s been through the wars. He’s tough as nails. He’ll fit right in with Pitt’s defense, with the Big East Conference.”

Rivals.com also lists him at #32 in the country for shooting guards. Scout.com puts him at #15 at his position and describes him as a “high-major signee.”

Nice get.

According to the Pittsburgh Sports Report e-mail update, there is more work being done by Coach Dixon and the staff.

Pitt may not be done, as two big men are currently on campus taking unofficial visits. Mike Davis, a 6’9″, 215-pound center from Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, NY and Taj Gibson, a 6’9″, 205-pound Brooklyn native who is attending Stoneridge Preparatory School in Tarzana, CA, are in to see if they can be the big man in the middle that Pitt is looking for.

Mike Davis‘ name should sound familiar. He was originally supposed to be part of Pitt’s 2005 recruiting class, but academics at Xavarien High became an issue. He had to attend prep school for another year. He has (had?), apparently, been a bit lazy with his academics more than anything else.

Rivals.com has Gibson listed as a 4-star player, ranked #41 in their top-150 and #10 at the power forward position. Gibson has Pitt in his top choices along with Louisville and UConn. The only thing working in Pitt’s favor against UConn, is that they already have a verbal from Curtis Kelly, one of the best power forward prospects in the country.