Nored is latest WKU pledge

Western Kentucky landed a key component to its 2007 recruiting class on Thrusday when Alabama point guard Ronald Nored committed to the Hilltoppers.

Nored, a 6-foot, 170-pound point guard from Homewood (Ala.) said he called head coach Darrin Horn on Thursday morning and pledged his services to the Conference USA program.

"I told my fried this morning that it feels like my birthday today," Nored said. "It really feels great."

The Hilltoppers made Nored a priority early in the process and followed the Alabama native around all summer. Nored said he came close to committing to the program earlier in the year and decided that now was the best time to make it official.

"I've been thinking about committing to them about two months and it felt like the right thing to do. They have a good tradition and their academic program has been in the top five in the nation in the past couple of years. I love their staff and coach Horn is a really good coach and a good person. They've all been a top of the line."

Nored also visited Belmont, Bradley and South Alabama. He said the opportunity to play early and often was intriguing.