Birch Signs with Pitt; Reclassifies to 2011
The big news on Saturday at the National Prep Showcase wasn’t necessarily the action being played on the floor but instead a major development on the recruiting scene.
Khem Birch, the second ranked prospect in the class of 2012 has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Pittsburgh and reclassified to the class of 2011.
Rumors of Birch's signing were swirling around the Albertus Magnus gym throughout the day but it wasn't until Birch was actually on the floor, leading his Notre Dame Prep squad to an 87-81 win over Westwind Prep that his mother, Wendy Sparks, confirmed the news for ESPN.
“He’s a Panther,” Sparks said. “Khem is ecstatic and we are all so happy.”
Following the game Birch was able to comment on why he opted to reclassify and head to Pittsburgh a year early.
“As the year went by my coaches told me I might have a chance to go to 2011 and I thought that was a good idea because it will help me to get better in college instead of staying in high school,” Birch said.
“I just felt really comfortable with all of the coaches and players at Pittsburgh and I wanted to get there as quickly as possible because I knew it would help me to become a better player.”
Birch becomes the fifth member of Pittsburgh's class of 2011 and is still projected to be the highest rated player to ever sign with the Panthers as a potential top ten player in 2011.
Birch's reclassification also makes him the new top ranked player in New England.
Khem Birch