2011 PF picks Big East
Class of 2011 forward Chane Behanan won't have to pack his bags when he goes off to college. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward is staying in Cincinnati for school.
Behanan verbally committed to the Bearcats on Wednesday, according to his coach Leon Ellison.
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"He felt a good rapport with coach [Tony] Stubblefield and coach [Mick] Cronin and he has a chance to stay at home," Ellison said. "We didn't really want him to commit this early but he pushed it because this is something that he has always wanted to do."
Ellison said Ohio State and Xavier were also considered by the strong-bodied rising sophomore. The chances of Behanan leaving Cincinnati were slim.
"I think everyone around here knew that he wasn't going to leave. It was either UC or Xavier," Ellison said. "[Staying home] was about 85 percent of his decision. He just felt like he was more at home at UC."
Behanan has had great success on the AAU circuit so far in his young career. He and his 15 and under Ohio Basketball Club team win the It Takes 5ive and the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions. Ellison said Behanan should help Cincinnati when he arrives to college down the road.
"When he gets there, he's going to be more of a three/four type of player. I think he's going to be a better ball-handler and a guy that gets by people from the wing," Ellison said. "He's going to be pretty good."