One of the top uncommitted seniors is no longer open in the recruiting process. Levance Fields, a 5-foot-10, 196 pound point guard from Xaverian High School in New York, made his college choice on Monday. The No. 93 ranked player in the country will play in the Big East.

Fields verbally committed to Pittsburgh on Monday night and he’ll be one of the biggest Panther fans when Jamie Dixon and crew come to the Big Apple to play Memphis at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

“Yeah, I’ll be there behind the bench. I try not to get too emotional but I think I’ll have a big smile,” Fields said.

The four-star prospect is a huge get for Pitt. One, he rejoins former Xaverian star Chris Taft. Two, he fit’s the mold of player that the Panthers utlize in their tough backcourt. And three, his decision continues to prove that Dixon and particularly Xaverian grad and Pitt assistant coach Barry Rohrssen are one of the best programs to recruit New York City. The Panthers have six natives of the Big Apple.

“It came down to talking to my mother and she liked the visit and I think she wanted me to get out of New York. St. John’s is a great school and coach (Norm) Roberts is a great coach but I felt that Pittsburgh was the best situation for me,” Fields said.

“Having all of those guys from New York there always helps. So for me going there is nothing out of the ordinary. I’m just following the pattern. Of course, it’s still pretty close to home, too.”

The point guard joins a trio of forwards in the Pitt 2005 recruiting class. Sam Young, a rugged power forward from Hargrave Military Academy, Tyrell Biggs, a solid body from N.J. and junior college prospect Doyle Hudson all signed with the Panthers in the early signing period. Fields said he’s looking forward to stepping into the aggressive backcourt for the Panthers.

“I think I’ll be a perfect fit. Coach Dixon was a point guard and he knows what to expect,” Fields said. “They play my kind of ball. Their guards are all tough, hard-nosed guys that get out and defend. On offense, they get out and run and they get after guys.”