Memphis adds talented big man
When it comes to deciding what he wants, big man Nick Marshall isn't one to play around. Tuesday, he decided that he was ready to end his recruitment and make another important decision for his future.
Advertisement
A 6-foot-11 Center from Lexington (Tenn.) High, Marshall made a verbal commitment to Josh Pastner and decided that he will most likely spend a post graduate year in prep school before attending Memphis as a member of the class of 2016 where he will move into the rankings as a four-star prospect next week.
"I've just decided to pick Memphis because I think we have a good chance of wining a National Championship there," Marshall told Rivals.com "That's it and I really feel like I'm at home there. The coaching staff is great.
"I like the other players that they have coming in with me and I really feel like we can do a lot together."
During the spring and summer, Marshall has played for Norton Hurd's Team Thad program on the Under Armour circuit. Hurd echoed Marshall's feelings about coming in playing with guys like Keelon Lawson, Dedric Lawson and potentially major Tigers target Skal Labissiere.
"He really feels good about the kids that they have coming in with him," said Hurd. "He is comfortable with them and what they can do and he feels like he has a chance to come in and play early."
Perhaps a bit of a late bloomer, Marshall is young for his class and just turned 17 during August. He has great size, is a good athlete and is a shot blocker and rebounder with emerging offense. Though the plan is to move to 2016 -- and both Hurd and Marshall made it clear they didn't want to start contact with prep schools until after the school year is over -- he could still enroll in 2015 if it is the right move.
"It's been a big development for him," said Hurd. "I first got him in ninth grade and he couldn't do a lot of things. Even last summer on the 16 and under team he wasn't doing a lot. This summer he started doing a lot of things. He blocked shots, he ran the floor he grew to 6-foot-11 and really made an impact. He just turned 17 in August and he is coming along and learning how to play hard."
Marshall says that his size and athleticism are what stood out to his future coach.
"(Pastner) told me that he likes the way that I run the floor, block shots and rebound," said Marshall. "I need to work on rim running on defense. That's sprinting back to the defensive end and protecting the rim."
With another year to develop there is no telling how good Marshall could become before arriving on campus at Memphis. He and Dedric Lawson (a five-star prospect) already make for a dangerous tandem with room to get better. Most of all, Marshall is glad to have his recruitment out of the way so he can focus on school and getting better.
"I feel relieved," said Marshall. "Fans can look for me to come in and do what I do best and that's rebound and block shots. Also I can score when we need a scorer."
Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
Click Here to view this Link.
Click Here to view this Link.
[rl]