Just a week away from visiting an Atlantic 10 school, Delroy James decided to verbally commit a little early than he had planned.

The 6-foot-7, 200-pound small forward from New York City via Florida Prep High School said he called the coaches at Rhode Island on Saturday and told them he was ready to join the team.

"They popped open a bottle of bubbly they were so happy," James said.

James joins Lawrence, Mass., power forward Jonathan Cruz in Rhode Island's 2006 recruiting class.

"They just treated me the best," James said. "Their assistant coaches were real cool. Plus, I think I can go in there and play right away and have a big role with the team."

James and his family are familiar with the Atlantic 10 program. The Rams at one time had a verbal commitment from Delroy's older brother Lex, who spent two years at San Francisco (Calif.) Community College. He pulled out of his commitment and is now at St. Francis.

In Las Vegas at the adidas 64 camp, James said he averaged 21 points a contest with the New York based Student Athletes team.