Top 50 junior Symir Torrence headed to the Big East

Marquette picked up a big piece on Sunday afternoon when top 50 junior guard Symir Torrence announced for them.

A tough as nails 6-foot-3 lead guard from New York who plays at Vermont Academy, Torrence visited Marquette officially during the Fall and saw enough to call an end to his recruitment.

Torrence's coach at Vermont Academy, Alex Popp, broke down what he brings to the table.

"Symir will be an asset right away because of his unique ability to impact the game with or without the basketball in his hands. He is an A level defender on and off the ball. He is an A level rebounder from the guard slot. He takes charges, he gets deflections, he wins 50/50s, he even blocks shots. He has incredible basketball IQ and pair that with his gifted motor, and you have one of the best defensive players in all of high school basketball."

"On the offensive end, Symir gives you a shot maker [43% 3FG this season], a playmaker [6.1 APG], and an overall scorer [23 PPG in NEPSAC]. He is stellar with advancing the basketball in transition, he is phenomenal in the pick and roll, and he is even effective in the low post. Above all, he is a guy that other players want to play with. Talented players and coaches are attracted to his personality, disposition and ability to make everyone around him better."

Marquette's first commitment from the class of 2020, Torrence shows a recent shift towards adding players with more physical toughness. There's been no lack of shooters and scorers on the most recent and current teams, but true defensive stoppers and guys that play with a physical chip on their shoulders have been missing.

While Torrence can score and pass, what he does best is lead, defend and set the tone with his physical toughness. 2019's lone commitment, Dexter Akanno, is cut from the same cloth and these guys should help to add more balance going forward.