Tech, VCU, UR show hoops harvests

On the first day of the signing period, Virginia Tech yesterday said two men's basketball players signed for its Class of 2010: wing player Jarell Eddie and guard Tyrone Garland.

Tech currently has the NCAA-maximum 13 scholarship players but just one scholarship senior, forward Lewis Witcher. Tech coach Seth Greenberg said he expects Eddie and Garland to enroll next school year. So in order for the Hokies to get to 13 scholarships next season, a current player would have to leave with eligibility remaining.

Eddie (6-7, 209 pounds) attends the Cannon School in Concord, N.C. Recruiting Web site Rivals.com ranks him as the nation's 63rd-best player in his class, and the No. 12 small forward. He also had scholarship offers from Charlotte, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, Wake Forest and Richmond, according to Rivals.

Eddie committed to Tech in July 2008, after his sophomore year. He stuck with the Hokies despite the departure of Stacey Palmore, the assistant coach who recruited him. Palmore took an assistant job at Georgia after last season.

Greenberg, who is entering his seventh season in Blacksburg, said Eddie "is as complete a player and person as we have recruited here" and "his potential is unlimited."

Greenberg has signed just one player ranked higher than Eddie on Rivals' national list: guard Marquie Cooke. He was ranked 57th in the Class of 2004 and averaged 16.7 minutes and 3.6 points as a freshman but was kicked off the team after the season. Cooke, 25, is now listed as a sophomore on the roster at Elizabeth City State, a Division II school in North Carolina.

Garland (6-1, 170 pounds) plays at John Bartram High in Philadelphia. He was the city's leading scorer last season, averaging 28.9 points, and was named a first-team all-state selection in Class AAAA. He also had offers from Butler, Nebraska, Nevada, Seton Hall, St. Bonaventure, St. John's, St. Joseph's and Temple, according to Rivals.

Greenberg called Garland "a typical Philly guard" who "is terrific off the dribble and shoots the ball with range."

The Hokies open the season Sunday at home against Brown.

Highly rated forward gives Rams letter

Virginia Commonwealth received a letter of intent from Reco McCarter, a 6-7, 185-pound forward out of Wayne Country Day School in Goldsboro, N.C.

The Rams' other recruit, Rob Brandenberg, a 6-2 guard from Gahanna Lincoln High outside Columbus, Ohio, was expected to sign his letter last night.

McCarter, who averaged about 18 points and seven rebounds last season, is rated a major talent by several recruiting services.

"Reco has a very well-rounded skill set and possesses terrific size and length," VCU coach Shaka Smart said. "His ability to handle and pass the ball at high speeds will be ideal for our style. Reco's length and athleticism give him the potential to be an outstanding defender."

NCAA rules prohibit the Rams from commenting on Brandenberg until he signs. His high school coach, Tony Staib, described him as a late-bloomer and high-motor type who is a perfect fit for Smart's pressing, high-speed scheme.

Brandenberg averaged 17 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Two sign with UR

Two players signed with the University of Richmond yesterday and another will do so today.

The Spiders signed 6-0 point guard Cedric Lindsay, from Camp Springs, Md., and Gonzaga High in Washington, D.C., and 6-3 Wayne Sparrow, from Baltimore's St. Frances Academy.

UR coach Chris Mooney called Lindsay, who averaged 16 points as a junior, "a terrific player who is going to have the ability to help us from day one." Of Sparrow, who averaged 17 points as a junior, Mooney said "Wayne is a very good player now with the ability to become a great player. As he matures and gets stronger, I think he could have a great career."

Those two and 6-6 Derrick Williams, from St. Anthony's High in Jersey City, N.J., committed to UR. Williams, a 245-pounder who averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds as a junior, is a senior at St. Anthony's. He will submit his letter of intent today.

Richmond has three seniors this year: 6-4 David Gonzalvez, 6-7 Ryan Butler and 6-5 Kevin Hovde, who broke his ankle during preseason practice.