Xavier Grabs JC Big Man Holbrook

What Skip Prosser started two years ago, new Xavier Head Coach Thad Matta wrapped up just after the first part of the July recuruiting period.

Matta and the Musketeers have received a commitment from 6-10, 240 pound center/power forward Randy Holbrook of Odessa J.C. in Odessa, Tex., according to Wranglers' Asst. Coach Matt Figger.

"He felt comfortable with Coach Matta, and that's where he wanted to go out of high school," Figger said. "They got the job and worked him hard, and he felt like that was the place where he wanted to be. He wanted to go to a smaller school and a place where he would get his degree, and they are like 59 of 59 out of the last kids who went through there."

Holbrook picked Odessa primarily over Long Beach State and Arizona State, although Seton Hall, Texas Tech and many others had been involved with him this past spring.

The new Xavier staff was in attendance last Sunday at Rick Ball's JUCO Camp at Collin County C.C. in Texas, an event in which Holbrook played one game.

They followed that up with a visit to Odessa, where they also had a chance to monitor Holbrook.

"I think he had his mind made up sometime during last week that he wanted to go to Xavier," Figger said. "One of the coaches who had a big hand in it was Alan Majors, who had recruited Randy when he was at Southern Illinois and went to Xavier from Pacific. Once Randy found out what Coach Matta and his staff were about, I think he felt pretty comfortable with those guys."

Xavier had recruited Holbrook hard out of high school two years ago, but the St. Louis area native lacked a qualifying test score and headed off to Odessa in the fall of 2000.

"When he went over there on a visit out of high school, he really liked the atmosphere and their academic advisor," Figger said. "He just felt it would be a good fit for him."

Holbrook had a solid freshman year at Odessa, a year in which he grew two inches from his high school height of 6-8 to nearly 6-10.

He averaged seven points and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman for an NJCAA Tournament participant that finished the year at 23-7 overall.

Despite having to split time with veteran post players like Sylbrin Robinson and Cornelius Wright (both headed to Northeastern University in the fall), Holbrook managed to start six games, and appeared in 26 of the team's 30 games.

He shot 53 percent from the floor and 79 percent from the free throw line, and played exceptionally well at the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., where he showed signs of becoming a dominant low post player.

"They get a guy who I think will step in and play for them," Figger said. "They will lose Kevin Frey to graduation and might lose David West to the NBA Draft."

"They are going to need immediate help and I think he can provide that, because he's a kid who is very skilled, can put it on the floor, shoot the three and he is a good passer," Figger continued. "His post game has developed, and out at the national tournament he scored in a variety of ways. In our last eight games, he was one of our most consistent players."

Holbrook is currently in summer school at Odessa and Figger expects him to graduate on time next spring.

Just last week, here at JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com, we ran a story about Holbrook's recruiting picture. At the time, it did not appear like a verbal commitment was imminent.

So did the early verbal surprise Figger?

"I was surprised, but Randy is a pretty straightforward kid, and he was not getting into the hype of having some of the bigger league schools calling him," the coach said. "I think he pretty much decided that he wanted to go to a place where he could keep developing. He's the type of kid that once he makes a commitment to something, he sticks to it."