Price Headed to Big Ten Country

There are those moments when being a high school basketball coach pays off, not in terms of financial gifts but watching players make decisions that will have a positive influence on a youngster’s future. That is what Boston’s Buckingham Browne & Nichols head coach Lewis Bryant experienced when his star forward Kendric Price picked his future home on Monday afternoon.

Price, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward and No. 110 ranked player in nation by Rivals.com, sat down with his mother and Bryant and called the University of Michigan to commit to the Big Ten program, just a day removed from his official visit to the school.

“We just watched him smile when he made the call,” Bryant said.

Price is the third player to commit to the Wolverines in the class of 2005, joining point guard Jarret Smith and wing Jevohn Shepherd. Bryant believes Price’s time in Ann Arbor helped seal the deal.

“He told me that Michigan had everything he’s always thought of and dreamed about in what he envisioned college to be like,” Bryant said. “He just fell in love with the place.”

There were a number of factors on why Price decided on Michigan, says the head coach.

“I’m pretty sure Tommy Amaker was probably one of the key factors or at least one of them,” Bryant said. “I know he had a good time and he feels like he can play with those guys.”

“Plus, having a friend up there is a major factor. He and Courtney (Sims) have known each other for a while now and I know he’s excited to play with him again.”

Bryant believes Price has a chance to make an impact right away.

“This is all proceeding with the proverbial, ‘it depends on how hard he works at it.’ He’s got a chance to be an outstanding defensive, rebounding type of player,” Bryant said. “He’s going to buy into that team concept. In terms of scoring, he’ll produce inside and out.”