Young Heading to the Big East

Jabbar Young, a powerful 6-11, 265 pound center at National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, MD, committed to West Virginia, his coach Trevor Young told us tonight. "He had a great visit to Morgantown in late September," Brown said.

A native of New Orleans, Young transferred to Brown's program for this season. "He's really working hard," Brown said. "You know, he has a nice jump shot but we've been holding him back on that to concentrate on his inside play. That's where he really can score."

Brown added, "He's really just scratched the surface of how good he can be."

Earlier, Young was looking at two other schools beside West Virginia -- Kentucky and Wake Forest. Both programs wanted him to wait until the late signing period. Tulane and Virginia Tech got into the race for this top interior player, both offering him a scholarship. But WVU head coach Gale Catlett won out on another top player.

Next year, he'll be teaming up with super point guard Jonathan Hargett who this week was named the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year. Hargett played and studied at NCA last year. Hargett, whose basketball skill was never in question, was able to secure full eligibility through the academic program at NCA.

Earlier Young told us that he had a 2.46 GPA but expects to be able to raise that this year. He averaged 12 points and eight rebounds as a junior last season in 'N'orleans.'

West Virginia now has three slots filled for next season. Earlier announcements were made by 6-3 point guard Daryl Hill and 6-9 in-state power forward Kevin Pittsnogle.