April 16, 2007
Four Texas A&M men's basketball signees on Monday confirmed their commitments to join the Aggie basketball team this fall.
B.J. Holmes (Houston/Hastings HS), DeAndre Jordan (Houston/Christian Life Center), Derrek Lewis (Tulsa, Okla./Union HS) and Nathan Walkup (Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park HS) will enroll at A&M. A fifth signee, Victor Dubovitsky of Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, has been released from his national letter-of-intent.
"We're pleased that these four young men have decided to stay with our program," A&M Coach Mark Turgeon said. "I think it shows the character and loyalty these young men and their families possess. I'm really pleased they are on board and we're looking forward to next season. Now we can focus on recruiting our next class."
Holmes (5-10, 160) was a first-team All-Greater Houston selection as a senior after averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 4.7 steals per game. He also made 78 percent from the field and an impressive 50.0 percent (60-120) from three-point range. A three-time district most valuable player, Holmes also made the all-state and all-region teams and set school career records for points and assists.
"I had a great visit with Coach Turgeon and I think he will be a good fit for me," Holmes said. "I'm looking forward to being a part of great things at A&M next season."
Jordan (7-0, 240) is rated as the 8th-best prospect in the nation and the best in Texas by Rivals.com. He also was named to the All-Greater Houston first-team. Jordan averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and 8 blocked shots as a senior.
"I'm going to stay at A&M next year and honor my commitment," Jordan said. "I didn't know much about Coach Turgeon before I met him. I liked what he was talking about and where he is taking the program. That convinced me."
Lewis (6-5, 197) earned second-team all-state honors in Oklahoma after leading Union to a 26-1 record and the state Class 6A semifinals. A two-time all-metro first-team selection, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals as a senior while making 40 percent from three-point range and 77 percent from the free-throw line.
"I am looking forward to going to Texas A&M next year," Lewis said. "After meeting Coach Turgeon, I decided to stay with A&M. I talked to him for a while and decided he was a pretty cool guy."
Walkup (6-6 185) earned all-state and all-region honors after averaging 22.9 points and 9.2 rebounds as a senior. He connected on 85 percent from the free-throw line.
"I've wanted to play at A&M and win a national championship there, so that's what I plan to do," Walkup said. "We want to come in next year and build on what the guys before us have done."