Update on 2011 Verbal Commit Kasey Wilson

6'7 PF Kasey Wilson decided early that he wanted to become a Ram, committing to Shaka Smart and VCU early in the spring. He visited VCU February 6th and watched the ODU game in front of a packed, sellout crowd of 7,500. He finished the year off strong for the North Port High Bobcats and was named the team MVP for the 2009-2010 year. He also set a school record for most points in a game this season when he dropped 36 points in one contest. He picked the Rams ultimately over Ohio University and Head Coach John Groce, a former Ohio State assistant who has shown himself to be a shrewd evaluator of talent (his team, ironically also the Bobcats, knocked off the 4th-seeded Georgetown Hoyas in the NCAA tournament this year). While Kasey Wilson originally hails from Columbus, Ohio (along with 2010 commit Rob Brandenberg), he ultimately decided VCU was where his heart is, and lucky for us, because he is one heck of a player!



With the high school season over, AAU season began and Wilson led his Florida Elite 17U team to the AAU Disney Easter Classic at the Disney Wide World of Sports Milkhouse and Jostens' Center from April 2nd-4th. 12 courts at one location with non-stop basketball featuring some of the top teams in the country. The Florida Elite 17U played in the Red Division and won the title despite finishing 2nd in their pool where they took out the Jacksonville Lee Bulls (the former AAU team of current Ram Ed Nixon).

According to Florida Hoops, Wilson and 2012 guard Michael Frazier led the way for the Elite. Here's what they had this to say about Wilson's performance:
Wilson, a 6’7 forward from North Port (FL) HS and a Virginia Commonwealth commit is a player we thought would eventually move to the wing. However, he is very athletic and plays so well against bigger guys inside that it may not be necessary. Wilson surprises with his ability to get off the floor quickly and block shots, catch lobs for dunks in half-court sets, and throw down violent dunks on the break. He displays solid fundamentals in the half-court and rarely makes mistakes with the ball.

Next up was the Bill Hensley Memorial Run 'N Slam taking place this weekend, a tourney having one of the longest days of the year as far as AAU is concerned. Yesterday, 14 consecutive hours of games were played at the Spiece Fieldhoue in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This time Michael Frazier (2012) made the most noise for Florida Elite, but Wilson also played well. Florida Elite 17U won their first 5 games on Friday and Saturday including a 58-56 overtime nail-biter to get the 17U team to the Elite 8 this morning. Wilson and Florida Elite battled hard in the 9:30 game this morning, but came up 2 points short of advancing to the Final Four. Despite the loss, Florida Elite played well and Kasey Wilson continues to give Ram fans reasons to be excited about the 2011 class. Wilson is quite the pickup for Shaka Smart and the VCU staff, although that seems to be par for the course if the last several months have been any indication. The fall signing period can't get here fast enough!