James Bell, a 6-4, 210-pound shooting guard/small forward from Jacksonville (FL) Arlington Country Day, has committed to Villanova. Bell is the first member of the Class of 2010 to commit to the Wildcats.
“I spoke to Coach (Jay) Wright and coach (Pat) Chambers and I talked it over with my mother and my grandmother,” Bell said by phone.
“I like the coaching staff. I met the players. There’s a 100 percent graduation rate. I want to get my degree and be a part of the family that Coach Wright has created.”
Bell chose Villanova over Florida, Clemson, Miami and West Virginia. He is ranked as the No. 21 shooting guard in the Class of 2010 and No. 73 overall by Rivals.
“I think I can bring a lot (to Villanova),” he said. “I can play defense. With my athleticism, I change the game in more than one way.”
Bell led his team to its fourth straight Class 2-A state title last season, averaging 13 points and 9 rebounds. He will transfer to Monteverde Academy for his last two years and play for head coach Kevin Sutton.
“James is an explosive player, very athletic,” Sutton said by phone. “I think he has the potential to be a big-time player at the next level. He’s going to be a big-time player for us in high school. I think he has the potential to a solid high-major player.
“He is an all-around good athlete. He’s strong on the defensive and he’s explosive taking the ball to the basket and his long-range jump shot has really improved.”
“I’m just trying to get better academically and otherwise,” Bell said.
Sutton added that Robert Chubbs, a 6-9 senior forward/center, has verbally committed to Auburn.
“He’s very strong player, a very good athlete, he runs the floor very well,” Sutton said. “He has a tremendous upside.”
Nick Diatta, a 6-8 power forward, has been offered by Towson and Tennessee State.
