Paris Bennett, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior forward from St. Patrick of Elizabeth, has committed to George Mason University.
Bennett chose George Mason over Kent State, Siena, Iona and Rider.
“When I went down there for my unofficial, I liked the campus when there weren’t too many people there,” Bennett said. “Then when I went back down this weekend for the official, I really liked the atmosphere with all the people.
“The team and the coaches get a lot of support, and it’s like a family atmosphere, which I’m totally accustomed to.”
Bennett said he would play the three at George Mason.
“I’m just looking forward to helping the team in any way I can, whatever they want me to do,” he said.
“Paris is a very versatile player,” added St. Pat’s assistant coach Ray Miller. “He has high basketball IQ. He can play inside and out. He can play the three and four for them.”
Bennett is part of a Celtics team that will be favored to capture the New Jersey Tournament of Champions this year. It also features North Carolina-bound guard Dexter Strickland, as well as D-1 talents Kyrie Irving, Michael Gilchrist and Markus Kennedy.