Coach John Brady and the rest of the LSU men’s basketball team staff compiled a consensus Top 3 recruiting class in 2003. Thursday’s commitment of University High School’s Glen Davis kept that theme going.
Davis, a 6-foot-8, 345-pound power forward made the announcement in front of media and classmates at the U-High gym.
“When I was a little boy, I always told my mom that I was going to go to school and play basketball for the LSU Tigers,” Davis said. “So, that is where I’ll be signing in the month of November.”
Davis, affectionately known as “Big Baby,” is a five-star prospect according to Rivals.com, and is rated as the No. 4 overall prospect in the country. He could also have played football in college as either an offensive or defensive lineman.
But after leading his team to a state championship as a sophomore, deep into the playoffs his junior year and making waves in several national camps over the summer, Davis decided basketball was the way to go.
“Basketball is what I love,” Davis said. “I want to be great at it. Instead of playing something I don’t love and just for fun, I decided to play what I love.”
LSU received Davis’ commitment over numerous national powers, including Indiana, Georgia and his second choice, North Carolina. In the end, the opportunity at LSU was too good to pass up.
“I want to make it clear that nobody made this decision for me,” Davis said. “Everyone I asked for advice told me to make the decision that was most comfortable for me.”
Davis made the decision before taking any visits. He said he may officially visit LSU just for fun.
“I had a lot of pressure on me,” Davis said. “Everyone was asking me where I was going. Now the questions are over, and I can focus on school. I am looking forward to helping U-High try to win another state championship and in the future help LSU become one of the elite teams in America.”
Rob Harrington, the recruiting analyst from prepstars.com, a national recruiting service, says the commitment of Davis is huge for the Tigers.
“He will be one of the best big men in the Southeastern Conference,” Harrington said. “He already has size, so LSU won’t have to wait for him to develop. He has great agility for his size and great feet.”
With high school All-American Brandon Bass already on campus as a freshman, Harrington said LSU will have one of the most dangerous inside combos in the country when Davis gets to school.
“It will be a perfect combo,” Harrington said. “Bass can go inside (and) out, and Davis plays strictly with his back to the basket. LSU has developed a good nucleus.”
‘Big Baby’ verbally commits to Tigers
August 28, 2003