Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 6, 1990                   TAG: 9004060192
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WYTHE'S LEE COMMITS TO VMI BASKETBALL TEAM

"All the way through the recruiting period, VMI was my first choice," said the 6-foot-4 All-Timesland selection. "I know I'll get a great education up there. I love the atmosphere up there, and I love the coaching staff even though I haven't even played the first game for them."

Lee visited Campbell Wednesday. Thursday, George Wythe coach Al Copenhaver said that Lee had fielded an offer from James Madison coach Lefty Driesell to come there as a tuition student the first year with an assurance of a scholarship the second year.

Lee also considered Marshall and Radford. However, he said that Radford's interest seemed to have waned after he failed to commit during the November signing period.

Playing as a small forward this year, Lee turned in one of the most versatile performances ever by an All-Timesland selection. He led the New River District in scoring (21.5), free-throw percentage (81.6), rebounding (12.3) and assists (6.0) while leading the Maroons to the Group AA tournament.

Lee finished his career with 1,527 points.

"[VMI] Coach [Joe] Cantafio told me that I'd probably be a [shooting] guard," Lee said. "He didn't say anything about my starting, but he did say that he expected I would be getting a good amount of playing time as a freshman. He said he thought I was going to make an impact and that's what I'm going to try to do."

Lee also is a standout pitcher and shortstop on the Maroons' baseball team. He said he intends to play both sports at VMI. Current Keydets basketball player Mark Craft also plays baseball.

"I'm as excited as I can be for Jamie," Copenhaver said. "I know Jamie had a lot of options to consider. I think he took the right one. I believe he and VMI will be good for each other."

The military lifestyle at VMI never was a negative factor for Lee.

"That doesn't bother me at all," he said. "It will just discipline me more for after college, and that's good."

Lee is a friends of former Pulaski County High player Jonathan Penn, who just finished his freshman season on VMI's basketball team. Lee said Penn spoke favorably of the school, information that came in handy when it was time to make a decision.