AUSTIN, Texas - Five high school hoop standouts have
signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball next season at
The University of Texas, head coach Rick Barnes
announced today. Kevin Durant (Suitland, Md.), Matt Hill (Lincoln, Neb.),
Justin Mason (Amarillo, Texas), Dexter Pittman (Rosenberg, Texas) and
Harrison Smith (Houston, Texas) will join the Longhorns for the 2006-07
season.
"We are so impressed with each of the five guys that signed with us today,
not only as basketball players but also as people," Barnes said. "I can't
give enough credit to our current players and our assistant coaches Rodney
Terry, Russ Springmann and Ken McDonald. This was an important recruiting
class as far as filling needs, and we've done exactly that."
Durant (6-9, 205), a swingman from Montrose Christian School who plays under
coach Stu Vetter, is ranked as the second-best high school prospect in the
nation by most recruiting services. Durant played at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth
of Wilson, Va.) during his junior season and averaged 19.6 points, 8.8
rebounds and over three blocks per game while leading Oak Hill to a 35-2
mark. Durant shot 65 percent from the floor, including 43 percent from
three-point range, and 77 percent from the free throw line last year.
Hill (6-10, 230), a forward from Lincoln Southeast High School who plays
under coach Jeff Smith, is ranked as the No. 74 high school prospect in the
country by Scout.com. Hill averaged 19 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks
per game while converting 68 percent from the field during his junior
season.
Mason (6-3, 185), a combo guard from Amarillo Palo Duro High School who
plays under coach Jeff Evans, is ranked as the No. 79 high school senior in
the nation by Rivals.com. Mason averaged 19 points per game while leading
Palo Duro to the Class 4A state semifinals as a junior.
Pittman (6-10, 320), a center from Rosenberg Terry High School who plays
under coach Bennett Hatten, is ranked as the No. 51 high school prospect in
the country by Scout.com. Pittman averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds and three
blocks per contest during his junior year.
Smith (6-3, 185), a shooting guard from Jones High School who plays under
coach Barrie Jones, is ranked as the No. 82 high school senior in the
country by Rivals.com. Smith averaged 23 points and seven rebounds per game
during his junior season. As a sophomore, he was a starter on the school's
Class 4A state championship team led by current UT guard Daniel Gibson.
No. 2 Texas concludes its exhibition season with a match-up against Lenoir-Rhyne
College tonight. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center.
