ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 6, 1996 TAG: 9609060015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
THE BASKETBALL PROSPECT knew Bill Foster would be gone, but he admires Bobby Hussey, too.
Depending on how you look at it, Jenis Grindstaff is either Bill Foster's last recruit as Virginia Tech men's basketball coach or Bobby Hussey's first.
Grindstaff, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Spruce Pine, N.C., said he had the situation explained to him fully before committing to the Hokies this week.
``They were very up front with me,'' said Grindstaff, whose first name was passed on from his grandfather. ``They told me Coach Foster would probably coach for one or two more years and that Coach Hussey would get the job. That was a big factor in my decision.
``The Tech coaching staff really impressed me. They were really genuine.''
Grindstaff said he has been leaning toward Tech since early August, when he accepted an invitation to tour the campus and watch the Hokies practice in preparation for their trip to France, Italy and Switzerland.
He eventually picked the Hokies over Penn State, North Carolina-Charlotte, UNC Wilmington and Davidson. Clemson was recruiting him until Temple transfer Johnny Miller committed to the Tigers.
``I'm from ACC country, so, sure, I would have been interested in Clemson,'' Grindstaff said, ``but Virginia Tech was still in the lead.''
Grindstaff is entering his fourth year as a starter at McDowell High School in Marion, N.C., where he averaged 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists as a junior and was named second-team all-state by the Greensboro News & Record.
``He's a college prospect as a combination guard,'' said Lloyd Church, McDowell's coach. ``He would make an outstanding [shooting] guard. He's our best player, so we ask him to score a lot. But he's fantastic as a point [guard].
``It's not for me to say if he'll start right away. I would think he has a great chance.''
Tech's top returning point guard, Troy Manns, will be a senior this season. The other point guards in the program are junior Myron Guillory and freshman Brendan Dunlop.
``They said I might start,'' Grindstaff said. ``All I want is to come in and contribute.''
Grindstaff has a 3.7 grade-point average and is a member of his high school's National Honor Society chapter. He scored more than 1,000 on the Scholastic Assessment Test as a junior.
Tech has six scholarships available for next year and already has three committed - Grindstaff; 1995-96 signee Rolan Roberts, who is prepping at Hargrave Military Academy; and Jermaine Kilgore, who is enrolled in school but ineligible to play or receive aid until 1997-98.
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