Guard from Baltimore remains committed to UR hoops

The University of Richmond's basketball program already has one alumnus of Baltimore's St. Frances Academy. Spiders' assistant coach Jamal Brunt went to the 300-student school before continuing his education and basketball career at Randolph-Macon College.

UR is expected to welcome another St. Frances alumnus next year. Wayne Sparrow, a 6-3 guard, committed orally to the Spiders last summer as a rising junior, and will sign with UR in the fall, according to St. Frances coach Mark Karcher.

"Not once has Wayne come to me to say he wanted to back out of his decision," Karcher said Monday night.

Sparrow's upgraded play during this summer led to recruiting interest from two ACC schools and a couple of Big East schools, according to Karcher.

Sparrow averaged 11 points as a sophomore and 17 as a junior. Karcher, a former Temple player, says Sparrow is a long-armed, intelligent wing with 3-point range. Brunt's presence at Richmond was a major reason Sparrow chose the Spiders, according to Karcher.

UR will have three seniors on this season's team: 6-4 guard David Gonzalvez, 6-7 wing Ryan Butler and 6-6 wing Kevin Hovde. College coaches are not allowed to speak publicly about commitments until that prospect's letter-of-intent is received on campus. The early signing period for the Class of 2010 begins Nov. 11. - John O'Connor