Kennedy-King forward makes his choice

Last year, Kennedy-King coach Garland Dildy had one of his players go to a major power when Parrish Brown committed to Maryland. That possibility existed this season for Lorenzo Eckford, but the 6-foot-9 forward has ended his recruitment early.

"Lorenzo did make a verbal commitment to coach Washington and coach Perry at Idaho," Dildy told JucoJunction. "It kind of surprised and shocked me to be honest. He went for a comfortable fit for him in terms of coaching staff and playing style as opposed to, like a lot of kids do, going to the highest level available."

Besides the Vandals, Florida International, Loyola-Chicago, Ball State and Wisconsin were among the schools showing interest. The Badgers had even been in to see Eckford play this fall.

"He's an inside-outside player, has post moves, he can play with his back to the basket," Dildy said. "He can step out on the perimeter, break his man down. He is a decent three point shooter, but he's more comfortable shooting the mid-range or short jumper, from about ten feet out."

Dildy said that Idaho would be a good fit for the former Julian High star from inner-city Chicago.

"We think that Lorenzo will be very successful there," the coach said. "He's an excellent athlete, very competitive. He's an inner-city Chiicago kid, hard-nosed, they play hard all the time. Lorenzo's also a gym rat, and we think he's going to do well."

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