2006 Kendall Headed to the ACC

Not many analysts and coaches are familiar with 2006 prospect Stephen Kendall. But after his strong play at the Five Star Camp, schools began to inquire about the 6-foot-4, 175-pound shooting guard from Blue Ridge School in Dyke, Va. One ACC school extended an offer, and Kendall accepted.

“Stephen committed to Virginia on Monday,” said Blue Ridge head coach Bill Ramsey. “He's very excited. Both his parents graduated from Virginia, and he's always been a Virginia fan."

If Kendall had waited, he would have had plenty of other options.

"His only other offer was from American University, but I have had calls from Stanford, Vanderbilt, Purdue, North Carolina State, and Indiana wanting Stephen's transcript,” said Coach Ramsey. “His recruitment picked up a lot after the Five Star Camp this summer. He will be playing with Boo Williams this summer and will be known throughout the country."

A pure shooter with a developing floor game, Kendall should do well at Virginia according to Coach Ramsey.

"Stephen is a good athlete and a great shooter. He is a zone buster and shoots the ball well off screens. He is a pure shooter. Stephen can put the ball on the floor but needs to continue to improve on that. He's a kid that can shoot threes with his eyes closed. I think he will do really well at Virginia.

"Stephen has to get more physical and continue to work on taking the ball to the basket. He also needs to continue to get better defensively. Stephen is a hard worker, and I expect him to continue improving."

Kendall carries a 3.6 GPA.

John Holt contributed to this story.