2006s Inge finds a Big 12 home

Growing up in Camden, N.J. James Inge has never seen a mountain or a horse or even a cowboy. But he will now that he is heading west for college, he says. And he'll see them in two and a half weeks. The 6-foot-4 guard from the class of 2006 is gearing up for his freshman season.

Inge verbally committed to Colorado on Thursday after a long recruitment. The Big 12 school caught a glimpse of him from video, liked what they saw and offered a scholarship to the combo guard from the Northeast.

"I think they were a little surprised that I was still available," Inge said. "They said they already knew I was a pretty good player but when they found out that I wasn't committed somewhere, they got really involved. I got through the admissions process and got in. They were ready to bring me right in."

Inge will now be in Boulder for the first day of classes on Aug. 22. The Buffaloes began a search for a perimeter threat when Houston native Dale VanWright asked to be released from his Letter of Intent. Inge, who scored 74 points in a game last season, was a very strong option.

"When he left, I got that scholarship," Inge said. "It's just like they say, 'When a door closes, another opens.'"

Even with little knowledge of Colorado's system, Inge said he is looking forward to lining up with a potential NBA player in Richard Roby much like his twin bother Semaj did this season at Temple with Mardy Collins.

"That's the challenge that I'd like to have. I'm used to challenges," Inge said. "I know I'm going to need to get stronger in order to compete in the Big 12 but playing with Roby and those guys is going to only help me."