Jesse “The Takeover” Morgan has verbally committed to Seton Hall.
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound combo guard from Philly committed after a weekend visit to campus.
“I committed about 45 minutes ago,” Morgan said by phone Monday afternoon. “I’m just happy to be a Pirate.”
He added: “I can come in and contribute as a freshman and get quality minutes. It’s not too far from home so my family can come up and see me play.”
Morgan, 18, joins 6-5 Paterson Catholic wing Fuquan Edwin in Seton Hall’s recruiting class for 2010.
South Kent (Conn.) coach Kelvin Jefferson said Morgan was “as under-recruited as anybody in the country.”
“He’s a great perimeter player that can shoot it, slash and get to the rim,” Jefferson said. “He can be moved over to the point guard. He can really guard and he plays with a lot of confidence. He plays wit a lot of confidence and a lot of swagger.
“He plays within himself. He’s got a good chance to be a real good player at a high level.”
Seton Hall head coach Bobby Gonzalez and assistant Dermon Player began recruiting Morgan during the summer and watched him in the Reebok All-American Camp All-Star game.
Morgan recently picked up offers from Louisville coach Rick Pitino and Rutgers coach Fred Hill. He had said his top five were Seton Hall, UConn, Louisville, Rutgers and UMass and was planning a visit to Louisville next weekend.
“All of the visits are off,” Jefferson said.
Added Morgan: “I’m real happy. They [Seton Hall] should be pretty good this year. When I go in, hopefully we can be a lot better.”
SMITH GETTING LOOKS
New York City guard Russell Smith is being courted by Houston, Baylor and La Salle, Jefferson said.
“Houston and Baylor are coming in tomorrow [Tuesday] to see him,” Jefferson said.
“La Salle is trying to set up a visit this weekend.”
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