Michael Carter-Williams, the No. 16 ranked point guard for the Class of 2011 on Scout.com, verbally committed to Syracuse Monday, his high school coach Mike Hart confirmed to The Daily Orange.

The Post-Standard originally reported Carter-Williams’ commitment early Monday morning.

The highly sought after combo guard and junior at St. Andrew’s (R.I.) School was also entertaining offers from Providence, Notre Dame, Clemson and Virginia Tech.

‘He committed last night to (Syracuse head coach Jim) Boeheim,’ Hart said. ‘I think he had his mind made up in August, but he just wanted to see a couple more places, get recruited a little more.

Hart said the 6-foot-5 Carter-Williams can create problems for defenders with his impressive ball-handling skills. Though he’s more tailored toward an offense as a point guard, Hart believes he has the capability of playing anywhere on the perimeter when at the collegiate level.

Last year, he averaged 13 points-per-game as a sophomore at St. Andrew’s.

‘He’s a tall point guard at the college level who can play the two,’ Hart said. ‘He’s grown and he’s still growing. He’s very long, a very Syracuse-type player.’

Carter-Williams is the second player in recent memory to commit to Syracuse from the St. Andrew’s School -former Orange and current NBA free-agent shooting guard Demetris Nichols was also a St. Andrew’s product.

Hart said the recruiting process was easier for Carter-Williams, because of Nichols’ pre-established relationship with Boeheim and assistants Mike Hopkins and Rob Murphy. The prospect was able to meet the coaches during SU’s high school summer camp, which Hart takes his players to every season.

‘After the Elite Camp in August, his mind was pretty much made up,’ Hart said. ‘He’s been there the last two years. I really respect (the coaching staff), they did such a great job with Demetris Nichols, not only on the court but also in the classroom and I just told Michael, you know, I really believe in these guys.’

ctorr@syr.edu

Published on November 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm