West Virginia coach Bob Huggins and the Mountaineer faithful got some good news Wednesday when incoming point guard Jabarie Hinds of Mount Vernon High was declared academically eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Hinds was unable to make the team’s trip to Europe while he was making up coursework.
“We thought we knew that it was kind of a foregone conclusion (that he would qualify), it was just a matter of time,” Huggins told MetroNews Statewide Sportsline. “This time of the year you’ve got football in full swing and (the NCAA) is trying to get football guys on the field, they’re trying to get soccer players on the field and cross country. So, it’s a busy, busy time for them.”
The 6-foot-2 Hinds is a great kid, a tremendously quick point guard and a ferocious competitor who only wants to win.
A Co-Mr. Basketball in New York State, he posted 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals to lead Mount Vernon to its record-ninth New York State state championship, 62-51, over Jamestown in March at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
“He brings quickness that we haven’t had,” Huggins said. “He’s got the ability to get the ball in the lane against just about anybody. Obviously he lacks some size and strength, but in terms of just quickness, lateral quickness and first-step quickness, he’s special.”
Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino believes Hinds can step in and help West Virginia right away at the point guard spot, where he can share some backcourt duties with Brooklyn’s Darryl “Truck” Bryant.
“Jabarie brings a strong focus and work ethic,” Cimmino, who also coached Mounties forward Kevin Jones, told SNY.tv. “West Virginia will see the Kevin Jones dedication in a point guard’s body. Jabarie is ready to pursue Coach Huggins’ agenda.”
