Austin Carroll, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound postgraduate wing from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, verbally committed to Rutgers on Tuesday, choosing the Knights over Harvard.
“Yes, I did. I did it a little while ago,” he said by phone. “It came down to Rutgers and Harvard at the end.”
Rutgers beat writer Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com broke the news.
Carroll, who lives outside of Boston and is the son of former NBA and college coach John Carroll, said he wanted to play in the Big East. He is Rutgers’ first commit from the Class of 2010.
“The Big East was obviously a big part of it,” he said. “It’s kind of a big thing if you come from the East. It’s kind of hard to say no. I really like their coaching staff. I got along well with Coach [Fred] Hill and formed a great relationship with Coach [Darren] Savino.”
Carroll has also known sophomores Mike Rosario and Greg Echenique through AAU ball.
“I’ve known Mike and Gregory for a couple years from different camps and tournaments and stuff,” he said. “I felt really, really comfortable with the whole situation.”
Brewster coach Jason Smith says Carroll can help Rutgers with his shooting ability and basketball IQ.
“Austin is a hard-working tough kid,” Smith wrote in a text. “He really understands how to play the game.
“He is a very good 3-point shooter. People assume he’s just a shooter but he can put the ball on the floor. A lot of kids don’t know how to play the games. Austin does.”
CARTER TO BONNIES
St. Anthony point guard Elijah Carter committed to St. Bonaventure Tuesday, choosing the Bonnies over La Salle, Robert Morris, Rider and Manhattan.
He also had interest from Rutgers and Oregon State.
“I decided that I will take my game to St.Bonaventure next year,” Carter Tweeted.The 6-2, 175-pound Carter, a Willingboro, N.J. native, plays for legendary coach Bob Hurley at St. Anthony and will join teammate Derrick Williams in the A-10 Conference. “He’s an impact point guard,” said St. Anthony assistant Eric Harrield, who is also Carter’s AAU coach. “He’s at least a three-year starter and should get major minutes as a freshman if he keeps progressing at the same pace he is now.” Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
