An interesting JUCO

To say that Justin Jamison's recruitment is unique would be understatement. The 6'10" 243-pound center prospect is drawing interest from college programs even though he is playing basketball again for the first time in five years.

Jamison is at Missouri State West Plains and will have two years of eligibility left when he leaves for a D-I school. That sounds normal, right? Actually, Jamison is 23 years old and played professional baseball in the Texas Rangers minor league system as a 6'10" 260-pound pitcher. Since arriving at Missouri State West Plains in June, he has worked on his conditioning and is down to 240 pounds at the moment.

At one point, Jamison was committed to Ohio State to play baseball, and he later enrolled at Cleveland State for a semester in 2011 before taking 2012 off completely. While most players spend two years in junior college to complete their school work, Jamison enrolled early last summer and is taking a very heavy class load in order to finish in a year and be able to play next fall, when he'll have two years of eligibility remaining, according to him.

So now he's looking for the next step in the process.

"I was at Pitt on an unofficial visit for the Cal Poly game," Jamison told Panther-Lair.com. Texas Tech, Washington State, TCU, Kent State, New Mexico, Old Dominion, Tulane, Wichita State, Robert Morris, Gonzaga and California have also called on Jamison along with Pitt.

Jamison was born and raised in Cleveland and was on the same Benedictine team as current Panther Cameron Wright for two years. Pitt assistant coach Bill Barton has been Jamison's primary recruiter, and head coach Jamie Dixon recently told Jamison that he would be visiting for a game soon.

"I loved the Pitt visit. I got to see the facilities and meet the head trainer and strength coach. I also had a good talk with Coach Dixon after. My grandfather and I had a great time. I got to talk to Cam on the visit and he told me great things about the program, school, and coaching staff."

Although Pitt has some big bodies inside, the options are less than ideal. Derrick Randall's ideal role is as a reserve, Joseph Uchebo's knee is a bit unreliable, and incoming freshman Shaquille Doorson will most likely need some time to develop. Pitt is in good shape with the 2015 class, and the staff is looking at a possible short-term stop gag at the center position. Jamison, who is 23 and physically developed with good strength, could fit that role.

"The Pitt coaches just told me that they have some big's leaving this year and some high school kids coming in but they are looking for an older guy with experience to come in and contribute right away to win games."

Despite his age, Jamison is an intriguing prospect because of his size and the fact that he is just getting back into playing shape. He is athletic enough to play baseball and get drafted at that size, and as he continues to get his body in basketball shape and maintain a lighter weight, his game should come back quickly. He is currently averaging 9 points and 7 rebounds a game.

Jamison is capable of scoring from the mid-post and in with either hand. He's a smart kid who is patient on the floor and understands how to use his size to rebound and alter shots. Most players his age don't have a great upside, but in this situation, Jamison is still developing because of his time away from the game.

Jamison is definitive about not making a decision until after the season is over. Once it is over, he will then take his official visits. It sounds like Pitt has a great chance.

"I'm very impressed with Pitt's program," he said. "It seems like a great group of guys and I really like Coach Dixon. I think they have a high ceiling and it is an honor to be recruited by them. They haven't officially offered yet but I think they will. I am not sure where I will take my visits yet, but Pitt is definitely going to be one of them."