Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

Tigers land top-25 class

Summerville star highlights class of three signees

CLEMSON — When Oliver Purnell began his Clemson rebuilding project five years ago, he sought long, lean athletes who could play defense because the program was not going to immediately land top-50 recruits.

Thanks to the team’s first NCAA tournament appearance in a decade, Purnell believes the Tigers snatched the best of both worlds Wednesday, two days before they open the season in the Charleston Classic against Hofstra.

Clemson inked three players on the first day of the early signing period, highlighted by swingman Milton Jennings.

The Tigers also signed 6-foot-7 forward Devin Booker, brother of Clemson junior forward Trevor Booker, and 6-5 guard Donte Hill of Virginia Beach, Va.

Clemson’s class was ranked No. 18 by Scout.com but did not make Rivals.com’s top 25.

Jennings, a 6-9 forward from Summerville, is arguably the program’s most acclaimed recruit since its McDonald’s All-America center Sharone Wright (1991).

Rivals.com ranks Jennings as the nation’s No. 12 prospect, while Scout.com has him No. 23.

“The No. 1 thing we wanted to do when we got here five years ago was to change our image internally and externally,” Purnell said. “Guys like Milton Jennings are not only opening the door now and asking us to come in and talk, but they’re coming to campus and taking a look around ... and once they do that, we have a shot.

“So I think the message and the symbolism of a Milton Jennings signing with Clemson is certainly very important in terms of changing that image. And I think that image has been changed.”

Booker is rated as high as No. 65 by Scout.com, and Purnell said Devin may be as good, or better, than his brother Trevor.

Purnell also has high hopes for Hill, whose other scholarship offers reportedly included Virginia Tech and Marquette.

Baciu suspension stands. After some consideration, Clemson opted not to appeal the NCAA’s five-game suspension of 7-2 freshman center Catalin Baciu, Purnell said.

Baciu, a native of Romania, was penalized for playing five games several years ago with Mobitelco, a club team in Romania’s top professional division.

John Jordan, who coached Baciu for his two prep seasons at Veritas Christian Academy in Fletcher, N.C., has said that Baciu was not a paid team member and played less than two minutes in each of the five games. Jordan said Baciu’s brief stint on the roster was a “privilege” granted to Baciu for being a local, high-profile junior player.

“He was practically a water boy on the team, and supposedly they took that in consideration when they looked at him,” Purnell said.

“Usually they give you two-for-one (penalty) if you play in one of those games. ... Our compliance people tell me we were fortunate, so I will have to take their word on it.”

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