2007 BU commitment- Rashad Austin

[Da Coach]

That didn't take long! It was known since this afternoon that Rashad had committed. He reconsidering his and his father's desire to play in California and ecided he would be happiest at Bradley.

This is a great signing!

Rashad Austin was Jim Les' first choice among the junior college kids he targeted. And though he later focused more on Wade Knapp and Charlie Coley, I am sure he is much happier with Austin than with either of those others.

Austin gives Bradley what they need most, a skilled power forward type who is good defensively and who has a very good scoring touch. Rashad had some games of 20-30 points in the juco tournament last month. Among the juco players Bradley was pursuing, Rashad is the best kid for defending players like Randall Falker, and Eric Coleman, along with the big guys Michigan and other opponents will throw at us.

We all remember Marcus Sikes, who was JL's #1 recruiting target last year. Well, Rashad is similar and as good at Marcus Sikes. This is a great signing, and a perfect compliment to this recruiting class.

Rashad Austin was a 3-star recruit out of high school who had most of the Pac 10 after him--

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=22287

More from an earlier thread on Rashad Austin--

http://www.bradleyfans.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=6217

[newBUfan]

full circle....

he was the one it all started out with. complete full circle. great job by the staff.

[Garland 22]

This is the guy I wanted....good #'s and good size! YES!

I think this is a very good pickup this late in the game.

[Da Coach]

More links

Bio from his juco site--

http://gonjc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/austin_rashad00.html

High school sites--
http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Player.mxp/AthleteID-

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/092605aaa.html

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=22287

Some rankings had Rashad as a Top 100 player out of high school. Here is an old HoopscoopOnline listing of 2005 high school players. This ranking has Rashad Austin at #130 nationally.--

http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/classof2005-february2004-hstp.html

[ER3]

This is great news!
Congrats to JL and the staff for their work to get Rashad!
So now we have a 6'8" JUCO, a 6'9" Freshman, a 6'10" Freshman, and a 7'0" JUCO in the incoming recruiting class...to go along with the return of 6'7" Ray Brown...
I think it is safe to say that we should not be seeing any of those games where we get destroyed on the boards in the next couple years...I think the 4 guard offense is likely on the back burner as well...

[bravesonly]

wow, great news...i have to admit i totally forgot about this guy with all the recent "happenings" at BU but this is a great get, is it next season yet???

[MacabreMob]

Welcome Rashad!

Good luck on the Hilltop!

[houstonbrave]

Add on 6-7 Matt Salley and 6-9 Sam Singh and we have a strong inside presence to go along with some great perimeter players.... a great success for JL and the staff. Maybe we were all getting a bit too worried too quickly. Congrats and welcome to Rashad. We now have OUR 2007-8 team....just under 6 months until practice starts (geez that sounds like a long time).

[Braves4Life]

Animal

Amen! Our prayers have been answered! I agree with Da Coach; Austin is a much better fit for this team than Coley and some of the other "athletics" we were recruiting. They may have had slightly more raw athletic ability, but Austin is the kind of animal we really needed. Wow! 240 lbs!!!

I said a while back we need to find a 250 lb. animal and we did! Welcome Rashad!

[Braves4Life]

This is the guy I wanted....good #'s and good size! YES!

I think this is a very good pickup this late in the game.

This would have been a good pick up if he was the first to commit (which he could have been had he made his mind up to leave CA earlier)

[Big Mike]

as rumors go ........RA seemed to mesh with the players during his visit.....at least better than cc or wk.........so it all worked out for the better!

[bravesonly]

Re: Animal

Amen! Our prayers have been answered! I agree with Da Coach; Austin is a much better fit for this team than Coley and some of the other "athletics" we were recruiting. They may have had slightly more raw athletic ability, but Austin is the kind of animal we really needed. Wow! 240 lbs!!!

I said a while back we need to find a 250 lb. animal and we did! Welcome Rashad!

i would love to see this kid in the weight room. i bet he throws some serious weights around. he's gonna be a monster under the boards for us next year.

[amckillip]

Re: BU Commitment- class of 2007- Rashad Austin

LINK

I didn't realize he chose of NMSU, I'd say that says something...

[Braves4Life]

Re: BU Commitment- class of 2007- Rashad Austin

LINK

I didn't realize he chose of NMSU, I'd say that says something...

What? What does it say? I don't follow

[MacabreMob]

Re: BU Commitment- class of 2007- Rashad Austin

LINK

I didn't realize he chose of NMSU, I'd say that says something...

What? What does it say? I don't follow

From the article:

"Austin chose BU over New Mexico State."