Quote:Chris Coleman, a 6-11, 250-pound center, committed on Wednesday night to play for FIU and new basketball coach Isiah Thomas.

Coleman, who is a sophomore at Mount Zion Academy in North Carolina, would join the Panthers in 2011 as a freshman.

Trying to get CC on the phone to hear his thoughts.

Miami Herald's Pete Pelegrin is reporting

Looks like Zeke has a big man - let's see what he can do with him.

Hoop Scoop ranks him as the nation's # 8 player in the Class of 2011. This is a very early commitment, very rare, especially in "non-BCS" conferences. There are still 2 full years of basketball playing before he shows up on campus. Isiah is sure doing a heck of a job recruiting, as this would rank as one of the top 10 players in the nation coming to an SBC school.

I just dont put a whole lot of stock in "VERBAL" commitments, especially this far out.

Would be a great catch for FIU no doubt if he sticks.

Hell I couldnt even decide what to eat for lunch when I was a sophmore in High school, let alone know where I wanted to go to College.

Gotta agree, 2011 is a long ways off. So pardon me if I hold off on any congrats.

Agree it's too far away, and many things could happen for it not come into fruition. But it sure is a step in the right direction, and regardless of the loooong two year wait, it is still very impressive to "land" this caliber of player. I guess the point is that Isiah is making a difference in the recruiting arena most people didn't expect, and is doing so very early in his stint at FIU. I' m sure if it was FAU the team that got a commitment from the nation's #8 ranked player, most, if not all fans...including the ugly little bird Sun Sentinel beat write,r would be singing a different tune.

I think he will stick. Most kids go to a college based on the coach. The only thing that I see changin his mind, is if IT cannot produce with the talent he has brought in or if IT leaves to coach/manage elsewhere.

I am excited, the only thing I hate about this is that we have to wait until 2011 for him to arrive. I am excited about this years team however. If we can get a win to open the season against tOSU, that would be huge. If our guards are as good as they have been hyped to be, then the upset is not far from the realm of possibility. Just ask Siena...

More confirmation on Coleman's commitment. ESPN ranks him as the nation's #43 recruit in 2011.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruitin...son%3d2010


"Isiah has really made an impression with this commitment," Rankin concluded. "Coleman make an immediate impact in the post for the Golden Panthers. It also sends a message that the FIU staff will go after high level players. Coleman's commitment may not be the first."

#1 congratulations!

#2 if this is the talent that Isiah is going to recruit then he is going to prove a lot of people wrong down there.

#3 I think this is very exciting for Belt basketball. It really looks like some teams that are traditionally weaker links in hoops are really going to become strong points. Personally I'd love for a conference opponent to come into Diddle ranked.