:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/1319715/20120228_jel_bl1_445.0.jpg)
Tubby Smith's squad got their second verbal commitment for the Class of 2013 when Alex Foster tweeted,
Its official im a Golden Gopher!
(I'm willing to bet that this one really is official.)
Foster was teammates with Alvin Ellis, who previously committed to the Gophers, last season but transferred to Seton Academy for his senior season. The two will be teammates once again, this time in maroon and gold.
Foster is a 6-8 power forward who had narrowed down his college choice to Minnesota, Tennessee and Auburn. He also had offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Harvard and others. He stands at 6-8, 200 lbs and averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game last year.
His ESPN eval makes Foster out to be a raw but athletic forward with plenty of upside.
Foster also displayed the ability to rebound with authority in a crowd. He runs the floor very well and is quick to the ball. Foster has developing good hands and makes plays with his consistent effort.
Alex is a lefty post player that is smooth and talented. He is a little raw right now but is developing a face-up basket game. He has range on his shot right now to 15 feet. He is long and athletic and is very good transition. Tremendous amount of upside.
I e-mailed Joe Henricksen with the Chicago Sun-Times City/Suburban Hoops Blog back when we secured the Alvin Ellis commitment. And he had this to say about Foster...
If Alex Foster wants to be a true factor at the high-major level, he will need to do so by being a blue-collar 4-man who gets things done by competing, being physical, getting on the glass, doing some of the dirty work.
I think with Ellis we secured a scoring guard and with Foster we now have an athletic, rebounding forward. We still have two scholarships left and there is debate as to whether we use them both or bank one for the class of 2014.
Interesting that according to the committed classes posted on Rivals.com, these two Chicago area kids are the first to commit to the Gophers since Stanley Gaines Jr did in 2002!