November 17, 2005
Bryan Davis of Grand Prairie, Texas, has signed a national letter-of-intent to play college basketball at Texas A&M, completing one of the nation?â„¢s top recruiting classes.
A 6-8, 225-pound forward, Davis is rated as the 47th best recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, 49th by Scout.com and 62nd by HoopScoop. He is rated as the third-best prospect in the state by Texas Hoops.
?Bryan is a fantastic addition to our class,? second-year A&M Coach Billy Gillispie said. ?He?â„¢s a quality young man and everyone enjoys being around him. He charmed our players and everyone else he came into contact with on his visit.
?Bryan?â„¢s got unlimited potential,? Gillispie added. ?He?â„¢s got advanced offensive and defensive abilities, is mature physically and has the intensity it takes to be successful. We expect him to have an immediate impact and we?â„¢re lucky to have him become part of our basketball family.?
As a junior last season at Grand Prairie High School, Davis averaged 16.0 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, leading the team to a 21-8 record. He earned all-region, all-city and all-district honors and also was named the district?â„¢s defensive most valuable player.
In 2004, he was named the Metroplex Newcomer of the Year after averaging 9.9 points and 10.7 rebounds for a team that finished 29-5.
?Bryan is an aggressive player who can rebound, defend, block shots and can pass the ball,? Grand Prairie Coach Barry Davis said. ?He does whatever it takes to be successful.?
Davis was a member of the 2005 USA Junior Olympic Team, attended the 2004 Nike All-American Camp and twice was invited to the prestigious ABCD Camp. He also was recruited by Texas, Kansas, Connecticut and North Carolina.
?Bryan is a dominating player on the defensive end and is a great shot blocker and rebounder,? Texas Hoops?â„¢ Mike Kunstadt said. ?Offensively, he?â„¢s a low-post scorer who can also shoot from 12 to 14 feet. He?â„¢s got a major college body already and is really a quality kid.?
"Bryan Davis is a guy who will play a big role for Billy Gillispie,? Scout.com?â„¢s Dave Telep said. ?I think he's got some of the same characteristics Joe Jones had coming out of high school. He?â„¢s been productive, has a big body and quietly goes about his business. This is a very significant addition for the Aggies.?
Davis completes a five-man recruiting class comprised entirely of Texas high school players. All five signees are rated among the top 25 players in the state by Texas Hoops, with four ranked in the top 10. The class is ranked among the top 10 nationally by HoopScoop. Other members of the class are Donald Sloan and Derrick Roland of Seagoville, Bryan Beasley of Pflugerville and Joseph Fulce of Plano.
?Billy has signed an awesome incoming freshman class,? Kunstadt said.
?Overall, with the addition of a strong contingent of guards, A&M has continued to build with talented in-state prospects,? Telep said. ?You knew the day he was hired that Coach Gillispie was going to be strong in Texas and all he's done since then is prove it."
TEXAS A&M MEN?â„¢S BASKETBALL CLASS OF 2006
Player Ht. Wt. Hometown
Bryan Beasley 5-11 170 Pflugerville, Texas (High)
Bryan Davis 6-8 225 Grand Prairie, Texas (High)
Joseph Fulce 6-6 180 Plano, Texas (High)
Derrick Roland 6-5 185 Seagoville, Texas (High)
Donald Sloan 6-3 175 Seagoville, Texas (High)