UMass Adds Third Recruit
David Laury, a six-foot-eight forward who is currently in the midst of a post-graduate season at Ocean Academy in New Jersey, made a verbal commitment to UMass on Saturday at the conclusion of an official visit that began on Thursday.
Laury originally signed a National Letter of Intent in the spring of 2009 to attend Western Kentucky but withdrew from classes following a week in summer school.
He then arrived at Ocean Academy this fall and began to attract attention from various high major level programs before committing to Iona. When head coach Kevin Willard left for Seton Hall last month, Laury once again re-opened his recruitment and decided on the Minutemen.
"I think the coaches are great guys and I'm embracing the opportunity to be a Minuteman and work hard. There is little room for error for me," he told NorthStarBball.com. "I've basically been given up on by a lot of schools and I'm thankful for the chance to play on a level that I think I'm more than capable, especially with the coaching of guys like Derek Kellogg and Adam Ginsburg and the rest of the staff. Also, it's a great school with excellent prestige, in my eyes. I'm just excited."
The New Jersey native projects to be an ideal fit in Kellogg’s dribble drive motion offense as he has guard like slashing and passing skills with the size, strength, and athleticism of a forward.
Laury joins a recruiting class that includes point guard Daryl Traynham and Maxie Esho. High touted Jesse Morgan also enrolled at UMass in January and is expected to be eligible and the end of the first semester next season.
Maxie Esho