University of Albany Men's Basketball Land Point Guard Mike Black Of The Windy City Spartans - UAlbany Sports

Class of 2009 Fenwick star Mike Black of the Windy City Spartans has given a verbal commitment to play his college basketball for head coach Will Brown, and the University at Albany. Black had originally signed with North Florida ahead of opening up his recruitment following a coaching change.

Black, a 6'0" point guard, is known both for his ability to run a team, and also for his ability to score the basketball. Black is coming off of a superb senior season which saw him team with Xavier Humphrey (Winona State) on a Fenwick team that was once again very strong.

Black originally signed with the University of North Florida ahead of a head coaching change at the school. He ultimately decided to obtain his release, and re-opened his recruitment. He visited the Albany campus over the weekend, and decided that the school was a great fit.

Assistant coach Chad O'Donnell was instrumental in landing Black to Albany. O'Donnell has actively recruited Chicago for years for the Albany program, and was also the point man in Albany's landing both 6'6" Jimmie Covington (Chicago Morgan Park) and 6'10" Jake Lindfors (Driscoll) to the school.

Black competed on the travel team circuit with the Windy City Spartans. Orlandus Thomas of the Windy City Spartans confirmed Black's commitment to Albany.

Courtesy: Chicago Hoops


Will Brown and his Albany staff have received a commitment from former North Florida commit Mike Black...

"As of last Thursday, Mike Black was released from his LOI from the University of North Florida," Orlandus Thomas, Black's summer coach told Hoopmasters. "Due to the coaching changes."

"A number of schools contacted me. However, it was Chad O'Donnell, assistant coach from University of Albany, who jumped on the opportunity for Mike's services," Thomas continued. "After an official visit this past Sunday, Mike verballed this morning to Coach Will Brown and the University of Albany Great Danes."

“Albany is a great situation for Mike, both academically and athletically. He will be able to be an impact player immediately and lead a team that has established themselves at the top of the American East conference. A lot of credit goes to the work done by Chad O'Donnell, and the staff at Albany. They were adamant about pursuing Mike after his release, and made him feel (during the visit) that he would be an integral part of the team for not only next year, but for his collegiate career. Mike has proven throughout the season that he belongs at this level, and he will have the opportunity to lead a great team on the national stage.”

University of Albany will be playing nonconference games vs. both Syracuse and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill next season.

Courtesy: Hoopmasters