Sampson orally commits to Gophers, Tubby!
Gophers fans, get a plasma TV and a plasma stand ready, because your Gophers are about to get a whole lot bigger. Sure, the excitement won’t start for another season yet, but new coach Tubby Smith has pulled it off! According to several media sources, Ralph Sampson III, who had previously narrowed down his choices to Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Minnesota, has selected Tubby Smith and the Gophers as his post-high school destination of choice – at least for a season or two before “graduating” to the NBA.
Ralph Sampson III, son of the former NBA great, stands 6’11″ as a high school senior and is ranked as a Hot 100 recruit by most scouting sources. Sampson will join South Dakota native Colton Iverson to play the post with beginning in November 2008. Iverson is a Top 150 recruit according to most scouting sources.
Sampson is the crown jewel so far in Coach Smith’s rookie recruiting season for the Gophers mens basketball team. In addition to Sampson and Iverson, he has so far junior college prospects Paul Carter and Devron Bostick. Sampson’s decision to give the Gophers his verbal was confirmed by his high school coach, Steven Bombard.
While it is only an oral commitment at this time, it is a promising sign for Coach Smith’s first season in maroon and gold. If the Gophers were still under the leadership of a lesser coach, they would not have even been able to shake hands with Sampson, let alone welcome him as Minnesota’s most recent verbal commit.
Local press, of course, will be wringing their hands until national letter of intent day more or less seals the deal. Way to recruit, Tubby! Take that, Kentucky!
