McCombs makes his decision

Dwight McCombs couldn't stop thinking about the University of Central Florida.

Few people knew he took a quick trip to Orlando last week, but UCF instantly made an impression on the 6-foot-8 junior college power forward from Morraine Valley C.C in Illinois.

The Chicago native took a visit to Arizona State a week ago, just got back from another to Middle Tennessee and was getting ready to see Indiana this week.

But Monday afternoon, McCombs decided there was no point in holding out any longer. He called head coach Donnie Jones to pledge his verbal commitment.

The biggest reason? McCombs said it was relationships. He says he took a quick liking to Coach Jones and he's especially exicted about reuniting with his high school teammate, A.J. Rompza. The pair played at Whitney Young High School and it turns out Rompza had been "recruiting" him for months.

"UCF has been in the picture since February or March," McCombs said. "They had a coaching change and I didn't want to make any hasty decisions about them until I talked to the new coach. Through the whole process, A.J. And Marcus Jordan were pushing for me to come there. They would talk about the opportunity there.

"I took an unofficial visit there last Wednesday. I just got back from an official yesterday from Middle Tennessee. I spoke to my father and my coach and I just feel comfortable about it. They said, 'If you feel that way, that's where you should go.' So I made the call."

McCombs, who began his college career at Miami University, played three seasons of high school basketball with Rompza. He never played on the same high school team with Jordan, but obviously is very familiar with him.

"A.J. was on me every week texting me saying, 'Come on man, we want you here.' A.J. never really let up," McCombs said. "When I was down there, Marcus added his two cents. I just have a great relationship with them.

"At the end of the day, it was just me being comfortable with the guys. You want to go somewhere where you're comfortable and happy. I visited other places and I was comfortable, but at the end of the day I felt the best about UCF. I visited Arizona State and I liked Arizona State. I liked Middle Tennessee. But when I visited UCF, that's a place I loved. When you're talking about love, it's a no-brainer. I felt more comfortable there, especially with A.J. and Marcus being there."

McCombs said the dialogue with Coach Jones began not long after he accepted the UCF position in late March.

"I guess it's been about three weeks," McCombs said. "I've been talking to them since then. When I got there (for a visit) I got a better feel for them. It was just an unofficial visit last Wednesday. I know a couple people down there at UCF and one of my friends picked me up at the airport. I met with the coaches Thursday morning.

"That was just a conversation of how they would use me and how they would use my position. We talked about what they can do to help my game."

McCombs, who is 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, fills an immediate need for the Knights who were in search of post players to add to the current lineup. He averaged 22.3 points per game this past season at Morraine Valley.

"They need a low post scorer," McCombs said. "That's what I bring. I'm a low post presence with me being able to score on the block. (Coach Jones) believes we need that. That what he sees me as. We'll use some pick and rolls, some pick and pops and I'll be able to take advantage of either smaller or bigger and slower guys."

He also brings it on defense.

"I averaged 14 rebounds and five blocks a game this past season," McCombs said. "I'm able to rebound and bring a defensive presence. That's just something extra about my game outside of just offense."

McCombs liked what Jones had to say about implementing a high-tempo offense.

"He said he wants to play faster and that's been something they've been emphasizing," McCombs said. "That's what we did in the city, fast tempo. My JUCO played fast. He said we're going to do some pick and rolls, pick and pops and high/low stuff. That's pretty much how we're going to play this year."

Aside from basketball, McCombs liked everything the university has to offer.

"The campus was beautiful and the facilities were nice too," he said. "But like I said, at the end of the day it's about being comfortable. I could have gone to a school where the facilities were not up to par if I felt comfortable there. When I feel comfortable with the situation that's where I can best perform and UCF was the place."

After a standout year at the JUCO level, McCombs was not lacking in options with 20-plus scholarship offers. Last fall he took visits to UC-Riverside and Cal State Northridge and more recently Arizona State, Murray State and Middle Tennessee. He was heavily pursued by Ole Miss, Minnesota, Auburn, UAB, Arkansas, Missouri, California, NC State, Penn State and others. McComb was actually on the verge of visiting Indiana this week.

"I was going to take an unofficial to Indiana tomorrow," McCombs said. "My timeframe was going to be to commit on Thursday, but after talking to my father and coach they were like, 'If you feel that way (about UCF), just go ahead and do it,' so that's what I did."

McCombs said Coach Jones was elated when he got the phone call.

"It was a surprise to everyone," McCombs said. "He was excited. He told me I made his day. He wasn't expecting it. I talked to him last night and I told him what I was going to do. I told him about going to Indiana on Tuesday and I'd make a decision on Thursday. That's what he thought, but I called today and let him know. He was excited and surprised."

Rompza was pumped as well.

"A.J. texted me shortly after I committed," McCombs said. "He told me he was happy and he said, 'Welcome to the family.'"

McCombs, who plans to officially sign later this week, can't wait to get started at UCF in a few weeks. He intends to enroll for the Summer A session in mid-May and his major will be organizational communication with a minor in marketing.

As for goals, the only thing he cares about is winning.

"When a team has success everyone has success," McCombs said. "I want to help bring the team to the NCAA Tournament. I want to bring them a conference title. It's not about individual success. It's about the team before me."