Danes get oral commitment from 6-7, 270-pound men's basketball prospect

UAlbany men's basketball coach Will Brown didn't waste any time filling one of his two available scholarships for next season.

UAlbany received an oral commitment Wednesday night from 6-foot-7, 270-pound forward Albert Turley of Westfield High School in Houston, according to Westfield coach Larry Brown.

Turley averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and a city-leading 4.2 blocks per game for Westfield, which finished 25-11 in Class 5A, Texas' highest division.

"He's a big kid, and he's got a lot of upside," Larry Brown said. "He's a great kid, and he's got good hands. His future is ahead of him. He's a great character person."

Turley fills one of the two scholarships that recently became available when forward Mike Yocum and guard Michael Knight decided to leave the program.

Larry Brown said Turley had scholarship offers from McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana during the early signing period but decided to wait.

Larry Brown said Purdue, Arkansas State and New Mexico were scheduled to see Turley on Thursday night, but he expected Turley to stick by his decision.

"He liked the kids," Larry Brown said of Turley's visit to UAlbany. "Coach Brown did a tremendous job recruiting him. They've been in the (NCAA) tournament the last couple of years, and they have a definite need for a big (player). It was just a good fit."

Will Brown is prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on Turley until he signs a letter of intent during the late signing period, which began April 11 and lasts until May 16.