Pena ready to run with local program

After taking a look at a variety of different players, Rivals150 prospect Dago Pena has found a place where he feels like he can not only succeed but help his future team do great things in the post-season.

Pena, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla., verbally committed to Florida Atlantic.

"I was very impressed with the coach. I have a good relationship with coach (Rex) Walters. He's been in the NBA, playing there for seven years. He knows how to get there and he knows what I need to do," Pena said.

"They recruited me hard. They are good people. They didn't miss any of my games in AAU. They were at a lot of my high school games. I have a nice relationship with their assistant coach Mike Balado, he's a nice guy. I am going to a place where I like everyone. Everyone at FAU is really cool. They play unselfish. They pass the ball to whoever it is. It doesn't matter to them. And that place is growing. I just like everything."

Pena also considered Kansas State, Virginia Commonwealth, South Florida, Penn State and Ole Miss. According to Florida Rams director Matt Ramker, the Owls were the perfect fit for his former player.

"He wasn't concerned about the level because he wanted to play somewhere where he was comfortable and staying in Florida was important," Ramker said.

Pena, the No. 144 ranked player in the class of 2008, joins AAU teammate Shavon Shine, who committed to FAU at the same time, in the Owls recruiting class.

"I think we can do good things at FAU. We want to play to win the conference and then play in the (NCAA tournament). I think we can do it," Pena said.

Ramker said the FAU staff is ready for Pena to join the tearm.

"They are ecstatic. He has a chance to be the best player to ever play there and be freshman of the year and all conference when it is all said and done," Ramker said.