Thompkins ready to come home

Howard Thompkins is coming home.

After spending a year at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, the Atlanta native realized how much he needed to be around family. The five-star forward committed to Georgia on Thursday.

"The whole situation there is great. They are on the up and up and it just seems like home," the 6-foot-8 versatile forward said. "I like how their system works and it works well for me and my game. Having a chance to play in front of my parents and having them there for all of my games just seemed like the right fit."

Thompkins also announced he will play at Wesleyan High School in metro Atlanta next year. He played at Wesleyan before leaving for Oak Hill.

"My family is amazing and they had a chance to see me when I was at Oak Hill but after going there to play and learn for myself, I learned how I'll be able to settle in at college," Thompkins said.

The commitment is also a huge get for Georgia. Thompkins is the first five-star player to commit to the Bulldogs head coach Dennis Felton since Louis Williams, a former in-state star that signed but opted to enter his name into the NBA Draft.

"Coach Felton is a great coach and I am going to love playing for him under his system," Thompkins said. "His style is laid back but stern. He wants everything to run through the big man and then out. I feel like I can help them and take Georgia even farther."

Thompkins also considered Florida. He said he will now put on his recruiter's hat and start recruiting Al-Farouq Aminu, a fellow five-star and former Wesleyan teammate, and Tony Woods, a five-star center from Rome High School in Georgia.

Thompkins joins in-state point guard Dustin Ware in the Georgia 2008 recruiting class.