Oct. 22

Dezmine Wells, SF

Raleigh, NC

Xavier lands Top 10 forward

According to multiple sources, small forward Dezmine Wells verbally committed to Xavier on Thursday morning.

Wells, the 8th best small forward in the 2011 class, held offers from Boston College, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Maryland and N.C. State among others.

"My family and I feel that Xavier is the perfect fit for me, so that kind of swayed my decision to commit early," Wells told ESPN.com's Maryland affiliate www.InsideMDSports.com. "Academically they graduated 76 straight seniors, so me graduating is not an issue."

ESPN.com's Recruiting Coordinator Reggie Rankin really likes this recruit for the Musketeers.

"He's in attack mode every time he catches the ball and he can score through contact with ease or draw fouls," Rankin added.

"He must work to develop his skills and extend his shooting range but Wells is as tough as they come and will be a welcomed addition to Xavier.

He really doesn't have true position on the floor but he's a kid who will do all the dirty work and be productive."

He joins Darwin Davis (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South H.S.) in the Musketeers 2011 class.

Aug. 27

Justin Martin, SG

Indianapolis, IN

ESPNU 100 Justin Martin to enroll at prep school

Recent Xavier commit Justin Martin has left Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.) High and will enroll at Mountain State Academy in Beckley, W.Va., according to the Indianapolis Star.

Martin, who is ranked No. 41, cited academics as the main reason for his decision.

"He was lacking a bit in his core classes," his father, Brad Martin, told the paper. "We wanted to get him ready for the next level away from the distractions where he can focus on his academics. He'll get a lot of one-on-one attention, which is difficult to get at a traditional high school."

Jul. 21

Justin Coleman, SG

Richmond, VA

Rising senior Justin Coleman talks with ESPN affiliate

Class of 2010 shooting guard Justin Coleman, who was recently named "Surprise Prospect" at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June, spoke with ESPN.com's Maryland affiliate site www.insidemdsports.com.

The 6-foot-4 talked about the Maryland offer and a possible visit.

"It was about two or three weeks ago. Coach Rob [Ehsan] called and said they were offering me," Coleman said. "He said I could get off of the phone that day with a full scholarship if I wanted.

"They're trying to get me there for a visit. I'm going to get there for one [sometime soon]. I haven't seen the facilities but I'm planning on going," he said. "They're one of my top schools."

Coleman also said he would like to take visits in August to Arkansas and Connecticut. The Razorbacks have offered him along with Marquette, Xavier and Indiana. The Huskies are showing interest as well as Florida, Memphis, Boston College, Oregon and Duke.

"I'm looking for a good academic situation and, of course, one of the biggest basketball programs," he said.

He indicated he would like to make a decision before the high school season starts.

Jun. 23

Darwin Davis, PG

Bloomington, IN

Jr. PG Darwin Davis commits to Xavier

5-foot-10 point guard Darwin "Dee" Davis verbally committed to Xavier on Monday night, according to multiple sources. The Bloomington, Ind. native had interest from Indiana, Butler, Purdue and Cincinnati.

"Davis is a true point guard that can do it all," according to ESPN.com Recruiting Coordinator Reggie Rankin. "He has excellent speed and quickness pushing the ball in transition and can be at the rim in the blink of an eye.

"Dee also has a tight handle and does a great job of distributing once he gets into the lane. His passing and court vision is excellent and for a young point guard. He makes good decisions and handles full court pressure with ease."

Davis can also score it when he needs to.

"He has a smooth pull up jumper when he can't get all the way to the rim," Rankin offered. "But he must continue hone his three point shooting which should improve as he adds strength.

"Davis also is an excellent on ball defender and has great anticipation in the passing lanes."

Rankin loves this catch for the new staff at Xavier.

"What a great get for first year head coach Chris Mack," he said. "Davis will be a great floor general and will excel in the Xavier half court set and while also pushing the ball for easy baskets."

May. 1

Alex Gauna, C

Eaton Rapids, MI

Spartans land 2010 PF Alex Gauna

Michigan State landed their third recruit in the 2010 class on Thursday when power forward Alex Gauna chose the Spartans. Gauna had interest from Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern, Xavier, Dayton, Louisiana State, Oakland and Butler.

"I wanted to get it out of the way," Gauna told the Detroit News. "MSU has been recruiting me since my sophomore season."

ESPN.com's National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi likes the combination of skill and athleticism Gauna brings to the court.

"Alex is an athletic big man who runs the floor really well and possesses very good hand-eye coordination," he said. "Spartan fans will appreciate him because he's cross between former stars Goran Suton and Paul Davis. He has Suton's shooting ability and Davis' athletic ability. This is a winning combination.

"Alex has a solid jump shot out to 19 feet and can score inside with his back to the basket but his post moves are definitely still a work in progress," Biancardi added. "Heading into his senior year he'll have to develop that part of his game. Also, as he gets stronger his post skills will improve."

Biancardi is impressed with Tom Izzo and his staff's ability to identify prospects, evaluate his team's needs and find a player and person to fit.

"Coach Izzo and his staff do an outstanding job of identifying needs and targeting players who will fit perfectly into the long standing tradition that Coach Izzo has built at Michigan State," he said. "They also have a successful history of working on the individual skill development of his incoming players. You will see this when Gauna arrives on campus. Once he begins working with their strength and conditioning coaches year round as well the coaching staff on the floor you will see the fruits of their labor over time.

"Michigan State is a place where a lot of guys have come in maybe not as NBA prospects but have left as NBA players," Biancardi added. "This is a tribute to coach Izzo and his rare ability to help each individual be the best while putting the program first."

Gauna joins ESPNU Super 60 prospects Keith Appling and Russell Byrd in the 2010 class.

"Coach Izzo is developing a very impressive 2010 class," Biancardi noted.