Rankin makes ACC call

One of the top point guards in the 2011 class has made his decision, and it is a surprising one. Charlotte native Marquis Rankin is now off the board, and as expected he is headed to the ACC, but just not to the city most felt was likely.

Head Coach Seth Greenberg and the Virginia Tech Hokies have been on the verge of being a consistent NCAA Tournament team for the past few seasons. One missing piece has been a true, steady point guard. Soon that won't be a problem with the decision of Rankin to commit to the Hokies on Friday.

"Virginia Tech came in and recruiting him for a long while," said Lamar Rankin, Marquis' father. "We built a strong relationship with the coaching staff, and felt this was a school where he would be able to display his ability, and help produce as a freshman point guard. It is something that they need."

Rankin, who is 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds has proven to be one of the premier floor generals in the country, and is on the cusp of being a five-star talent. That ability translated into offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Wake Forest and others, but eventually it was the offer from Virginia Tech that stood out the most.

For most this comes as a surprise, but according to Rankin's father it is something that they had been thinking about.

"We have been contemplating what we were going to do," said Rankin. "We knew it would happen soon, and he just felt the time was right. He felt real comfortable about it."

Rankin now becomes the third member of Virginia Tech's 2011 class joining Florida wing Robert Brown and in-state power forward C.J. Barksdale. Joining a talented class is something that appealed to Rankin.

"They are building program with a good class coming in, and he is real excited to make them an elite basketball school," said Rankin of joining the talented class.

Currently Rankin is seen as the No. 26 prospect overall, and the No. 9 point guard in the country.