Rick Pitino scored a big recruit late in the game for next season when Hargrave Military Academy star Montrezl Harrell committed to Louisville on Monday morning. He had been the highest-rated uncommitted player in the class of 2012.
Harrell, who was headed to Virginia Tech before asking out of his letter of intent following the firing of Seth Greenberg, took an official visit to U of L over the weekend. His relationship with Cardinal assistant Kevin Keatts, the former head coach at Hargrave, reportedly played a significant role in his commitment.
The addition of the four-star power forward gives U of L an enormous boost in frontcourt depth. Harrell possesses both the athleticism and the body to compete in the Big East right away.
Harrell averaged better than 25 points and just under 14 rebounds per game during his senior season at Hargrave. He dunked 18 times in a single game.
The question now, obviously, is where Harrell's scholarship comes from. I've heard the same things you have - Rozier's eligibility is in question, Buckles might leave, a player might pay his own way - and am just as intrigued as you are to see how this whole thing plays out.
The one thing I do know is that Harrell is a big signee who improves the likelihood of Louisville winning the national championship next season. This is very good news.