Grady Basketball Star Commits to West Virginia

center Brandon Watkins has committed to play basketball at West Virginia University.

Watkins, a junior, will be part of WVU's 2012 recruiting class if he signs with the Mountaineers.

He is the nephew of former WVU basketball star Warren Baker and announced his committment Friday, Oct. 7, at an event in Morgantown honoring his uncle, according to a news report.

“A lot of people were telling me it was too early, but I didn’t want to wait any longer,” Watkins told MetroNews of West Virginia. “I just wanted to get it over with because I knew I was going to be here at the end.”

He said he recieved a scholarship offer from the school last month, but wanted to wait to make the announcement.

“It was the family ties and also the coaching staff and the atmosphere out here and the fans. I just want to be surrounded by that,” Watkins said. “[There were places] I liked, but nothing could compare to West Virginia so I just wanted to stick here.”

Watkins was named second team All-Metro Atlanta in his sophomore season and was a Class AAA All-State selection. He was being actively recruited by other Division I schools including Clemson University, according to reports.

Read the full story on the MetroNews website.