Aggies Sign Nation's Top Prep Shooting Guard
Nov 20, 2001 | Men's Basketball
November 20, 2001
Antoine Wright of Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass., has signed a national letter-of-intent to play college basketball at Texas A&M, Aggies head coach Melvin Watkins said Tuesday.
Ranked as the top high school shooting guard in the country by ESPN.com, the 6-foot-7, 195-pound Wright is perhaps the top-rated prep player ever to sign with the Aggies. As a junior last season at Lawrence Academy, he averaged 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and 3.7 blocks.
"Our coaching staff, as well as our team was very excited when we received Antoine's paperwork today and know that he has officially become an Aggie," Watkins said. "Like everyone else, we feel that Antoine is one of the top players in the country and we look forward to him making a tremendous impact on our program. "
Wright is ranked as the fourth-best high school player overall in the class of 2002 by ESPN.com and is a consensus top 30-rated prospect. ESPN.com says of Wright: "Size + skills = future pro. Smooth and fluid scorer who really strokes the deep 3." The Sporting News ranks Wright as the No. 6 small forward in the country.
"Antoine is a slender athlete with an impressive array of scoring tools," says PrepStars. "He can shoot threes, create his own mid-range jumper or, using his quickness and leaping ability, explode all the way to the rim. His body control and coordination are top-notch, so he makes tough finishes look easy. He's a big-time player."
A native of San Bernardino, Calif., who is in his fourth year at Lawrence Academy, Wright already has met NCAA eligibility requirements. He was heavily recruited by almost every major program in the country, including Arizona, North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, Stanford, Miami (Fla.), Maryland, Georgetown, Arizona State, UCLA, USC, Massachusetts, Texas and Tennessee.
"Texas A&M has been really loyal and I thought it would be a good opportunity for me," Wright said. "Even when I wasn't getting that much attention earlier this year, A&M was always there. I think I can go there and play right away. I think I can get it done in the Big 12. I've worked hard and I think I've been able to improve on my game without getting caught up in all the hype. I think Coach Watkins can help me elevate my game to the next level and get me where I want to go."
The Aggies hope to sign one more player in the early signing period, Watkins said.
2001 TEXAS A&M RECRUITING CLASS
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Prep School)
Antoine Wright G/F 6-7 195 San Bernardino, Calif. (Lawrence Academy
[Groton, Mass.])
PRONUNCIATION: ANT-wan
