THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 8, 1994 TAG: 9411080470
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Old Dominion has received a verbal commitment from a top 100 recruit who, according to recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons, could impact the basketball program as Odell Hodge has.
Reggie Bassette, a 6-foot-9 center from Highland Springs High School in Henrico County, Va., visited ODU's campus last weekend and told the Monarchs he would sign with them on Wednesday, the first day high school players can sign a national letter of intent.
Old Dominion was the last of five official visits for Bassette, who visited Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth, Minnesota and East Carolina and took unofficial visits to James Madison and Richmond.
Almost two weeks ago, Bassette told the Richmond newspaper he had narrowed his choice to Virginia and Minnesota and would cancel his visit to Old Dominion.
``Basically, that was to get everyone off my back,'' said Bassette, who averaged 12.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and seven blocks as a junior. ``Those were my two main schools, but I also had others in the back of my mind. This decision is going to shock a lot of people.''
According to Gibbons, Bassette is an ACC-caliber player whom he rates the 53rd-best high school senior in the country.
``That, ironically, is about where we had Odell Hodge when he was a senior in high school,'' said Gibbons, who puts out the publication All Star Sports. ``In my opinion, Bassette may be the top player they've gotten.
``He can have the same impact on the program Hodge has had during his career. Hodge was a better offensive player, Bassette is a better defensive player coming out of high school. He's a little more athletic and a better leaper than Hodge.''
Bassette is the third player to commit verabally to the Monarchs. Gibbons rates ODU recruits Radee Benson the 122nd-best senior in the country and Skipper Youngblood the 148th-best.
Benson is a wing player, Youngblood a power forward and Bassette a center. With those three plus power forward Joe Bunn, a transfer from North Carolina A&T who will be eligible next season, ODU has filled its need for interior players. All the frontcourt players on this year's team are juniors or seniors.
Highland Springs coach George Lancaster said Bassette's decision to attend ODU was threefold - ODU is close to home, his father is an ODU alumnus and he liked Capel.
``His notoriety comes from his defensive prowess,'' Lancaster said of Bassette. ``He runs the floor well and handles the ball well for someone 6-9. He's cat-quick and very strong. He needs to develop more post moves, but his baseline game and high-post game are as good as anybody's.''
Bassette is young for a high school senior. He'll turn 17 later this month.
Bassette's father is a band director at a middle school in Williamsburg, and his mother is an assistant principal at George Wythe High in Richmond. Bassette is a musician who plays the saxophone, french horn, trumpet, baritone horn and piano. ODU has made arrangements for him to play in the Norfolk State marching band.
If he can't make a living in basketball, Bassette said he would like to have a career playing, writing and producing music.
``More or less the Quincy Jones type player - er, person,'' Bassette said. by CNB