English forward to run in Pac-10

A weekend trip across the country leaves most travelers a little dreary eyed. But Matthew Bryan-Amaning had plenty of energy on Saturday night on his way back to his home at South Kent (Conn.). The 6-foot-10 junior verbally committed to Washington on Saturday while on an unofficial visit.

Brayn-Amaning said he just needed to see the Huskies up close and personal before making his big decision.

"I just felt the most comfortable with them and the situation they have there. The area seems like the best place for me," Bryan-Amaning said. "I met with the academic advisors and they were all really impressive. So was the school president. He was really focused on the basketball program and where it is going."

The four-star forward said he clicked with Romar.

"He is a lot like my high school coach (Ralph Chillious)," Bryan-Amaning said. "He gets along with his players really well. He's a good guy in every aspect. Coach Romar is a lot like coach Chillious because when they are away from the game, they are just really good guys."

"I played with their players and liked the way that they play," Bryan-Amaning said.

One player he clicked with is future Huskie Spencer Hawes, a Seattle native.

"He helped me a lot," Bryan-Amaning said. "He was the one showing me around the area. He's a good, good guy. I can see us fitting really well with each other. It's a good fit for the both of us.

Bryan-Amaning joins Tacoma, Wash., guard Isaiah Thomas in the Huskies' 2007 recruiting class. Bryan-Amaning told Rivals.com that Washington, Wake Forest and Pittsburgh rounded out his top three.

Bryan-Amaning, the No. 69 ranked player in the class of 2007, is a big get for Lorenzo Romar and his staff because of his versatility at the power forward position and ability to play both inside and out. The London, England native was one of the pleasant surprises of the spring AAU season on Team Final.