Ebanks breaks down impending decision

The Rumble in the Bronx takes place this weekend, and the big news entering the event is five-star prospect Devin Ebanks' announcement of his college choice. Ebanks, a 6-foot-8, 185-pound small forward from Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More, spoke with Rivals.com about his impending decision.

According to Ebanks, an announcement is definitely coming on Saturday, but whether it will be Indiana, Miami or Rutgers has yet to be determined.

"I'm still talking it over with my family," said Ebanks. "The most important thing is to find the school that has the best situation on and off the court. I'm looking for the best combination."

Ebanks, the No. 11 ranked prospect in the Rivals150, broke down the positives of each of the three schools in the running. With Rutgers, whose campus Ebanks has most recently visited, proximity to home and a longstanding family relationship with assistant coach Craig Carter standout.

"Coach Carter has been visiting with my mother and me a lot," Ebanks said. "Rutgers has seriously been recruiting me since he came on staff. He is an old friend of my father."

A coaching relationship is also the main draw to Miami.

"I'm very comfortable with Coach Haith. That's why I like Miami so much. Also it is an up and coming program, and with the way I play, I could help them become a good team."

Indiana's communal love of basketball has made a big impression on Ebanks.

"I really like Indiana and the way the whole community, and not just the school, loves basketball. I also love the coaches and feel that they are good coaches. Armon Bassett and Eric Gordon showed me around on my visit, and they are really cool guys."

Once Ebanks competes in the Rumble in the Bronx and announces his decision, he has a busy couple of weeks ahead of him. In basically a two week period, he will play in the USA Basketball Festival in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Vince Carter Skill Camp in Orlando and then the LeBron James Camp in Akron, Ohio.

Devin Ebanks scouting report:

A versatile player, Ebanks is a match up problem with his ability to shoot over smaller defenders and drive past slower defenders. On the break, he is adept at both finishing the play and setting up the score. Defensively, Ebanks does a nice job keeping quicker players in front of him and holding his own on the boards against bigger players.