To say recruiting is going well for West Virginia would be an understatement. After landing two big-time scoring point guards in back-to-back days, coach Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers made it 3-for-3 by snagging four-star SF Keaton Miles (Dallas/Lincoln) on Wednesday. With their latest addition, the Mountaineers climb to No. 10 in the class rankings.
"On my visit last week [Oct. 14-16], I just felt so comfortable with everyone," said Miles, who picked WVU over Penn State, Wichita State, Texas Tech and Houston. "They have such a family atmosphere. I felt West Virginia offers me the whole package."
Miles is a long, versatile small forward with a competitive motor and the ability to score from 17 feet and in. At this stage of his physical growth, Miles' frame is very thin (6-foot-6, 200 pounds) and he needs to add strength before he gets on campus. His offensive game behind the arc and his ability to create for himself needs polish, but his upside is immense. He can put the ball in the hoop in a variety of ways, including with his midrange game, by beating defenders off the bounce, on offensive putbacks and by sprinting the floor in the transition. Defensively, he gives a team so much to work with because his feet are quick which allow him to guard on the perimeter, while his wingspan and toughness keep him in the fight on the block.
"Count on him to be a productive offensive player because he plays the game to his strengths and works on his weaknesses," said Lincoln coach Leonard Bishop.
He will fit very well in Huggins' five-man motion offense that can create opportunities by exploiting mismatches when defenders switch. Miles' versatility will also be used on defense because he has the ability to contest a jump-shooter, level the drive with his quick feet, front in the low post or even play at the top of the press, pressuring the inbounder's pass and looking for deflections in full-court, pressure situations.
"I know [Huggins] is going to be hard on me when I am on the court and I need that," said Miles. "But off the court he has a special relationship with his players and I like that too."
Paul Biancardi, who has been a head coach and assistant on NCAA tournament teams, is the national director of basketball recruiting. He is also one the voters for McDonald's All-American Game and Gatorade Player of the Year. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter.