Beal SEC bound

He looked into the Big 12, and then Jermaine Beal, the No. 99 ranked prospect in the Rivals150, looked into the SEC. And it was in the SEC that the 6-foot-3, 186-pound combo guard from DeSoto (Texas) High School found what he was looking for.

"I committed this morning during my official visit," said Beal. "I like the campus and the atmosphere, and the academics played a real big part. I really like the coaches, also.

Choosing Vanderbilt over Oklahoma, who he visited the first weekend of September, is excited about being a part of what he sees as an up and coming program.

"Vanderbilt has more upside than the other schools that I was looking at," he said. "I think they're a program on the rise. Plus, I'll get to play as a freshman."

Jermaine Beal scouting report:

Beal is a solid combo guard with size and a good all around skill set. Not overly flashy or overly quick, Beal is crafty with the ball and makes good decisions. He knows how to utilize ball screens and is adept at exploiting cracks in the defense. Rebounds and defends well. Can knock down the outside shot, as well, although he does not possess the smoothest form. Improving his strength will be important for the next level.