Bearcats land four-star center McClain

It took a little while for center Anthony McClain to find a home but the four-star prospect from National Christian in Fort Washington, Md., has found one.

McClain is headed to Cincinnati, according to his head coach Trevor Brown.

"Cincinnati did a great job of recruiting him," Brown said. "The big thing with them is that they will continue to develop him and it will happen on the court. As a high school coach, I've always wanted to see my guys develop with playing time as a freshman and he's going to have a chance to do that there."

Brown spoke of the opportunity to play right away and alongside Texas transfer Mike Williams and with recent 2008 pledge Yancy Gates.

"I've known Mike Williams from ABCD camp and just being out on the circuit. He was a McDonald's All-American. And with Gates, we're excited about the things that all of them can do," Brown said. "They'll be one of the best frontcourts in the Big East."

McClain visited the Big East school and the trip proved to be the final nail in the coffin. McClain was one of the few players in the Rivals150 that remained unsigned now that the late signing period has opened.

Brown said McClain will qualify academically and should make a seamless transition at the college level on the hardwood.

"He's willing to work and he's coachable," Brown said. "That's the big thing with him. He's willing to listen and put in the work. I has a chance to make a career out of basketball. He's not a project and not a guy that will be better in one or two years. He'll be a guy that helps their program next year."