Oliver decides on the Pac-10

Even before Adrian Oliver decided to take a recruiting trip to the University of Washington this past weekend, he was already a Husky at heart. Hence, the 6-foot-4 combo guard from Modesto (Calif.) wasted little time making his intentions known as he has officially taken his name off the board with a solid verbal.

"From the first time coach Romar saw me play in open gym at my school and offered me a scholarship, I knew Washington was the school for me," said Oliver.

Oliver decided to commit to Washington after taking an official visit to the school with his mother and uncle over the weekend.

"Washington was a perfect fit for my son," said Brenda Oliver. "Compared to all of the other coaches that we have met during the recruiting process, there was an instant connection between coach Romar and Adrian, myself and my brother."

Oliver's commitment ends a recruiting process that was starting to heat up. Kentucky, Kansas, San Francisco and Arizona were among the growing list of suitors for Oliver's services.

"I think he choose what was best for him," said Gary Porter, Oliver's high school coach at Modesto Christian. "He liked the coach, the system and the guys there. It will work out best for Adrian."

In getting Oliver, the Huskies get the Division V state player of the year, who can score in a variety of ways. For the past three years, his Modesto Christian team advanced to the NorCal Regional finals and won the state championship his sophomore year.

Oliver says he expects to see time, playing both guard positions at Washington.

"They told me that they don't have set positions. If you can handle the ball, you will handle the ball. I think I will play the 1, 2, and 3," said Oliver. "They run a guard offense with three guards on the court."

When he arrives at Washington in the fall of 2006, it will be the first time Oliver and his Modesto Christian teammate Michael Porter will not be playing together. The two have been on the same team and in the same backcourt since the 1st grade. Porter, who gave a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky, hoped Oliver would accompany him there, but that will not materialize.

"I always knew that both me and Michael would go to big time schools," said Oliver. "People wanted us to stay together but I felt that it was time for us to break off. I wish the best of luck to Michael at Kentucky. It has been something he has talked about for a long time."

This summer, Oliver will be attending the NBA Players Association Camp and the Nike Basketball Camp in Indianapolis. He will also play in various tournaments with his club team, the Oakland Rebels, alongside Porter, who is also a member of the Rebels, as his starting backcourt mate.