Jason Pratt:
Future150 Senior Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Nashville, TN (Future150) -- It's been a long and winding recruiting process for the #1 rising senior prospect in the state of Alabama, Riley Norris, and today, it came to a surprising end.
The 6-foot-7 small forward is headed to Tuscaloosa to play for the Crimson Tide of Alabama. At this time last year while playing for Southeast Elite on the AAU circuit, Norris was a virtual unknown outside the Southeast. After deciding to suit up for nationally known Team Thad in March, his recruitment picked up a head of steam after big performances in April after standout performances during the live period events.
Following a huge shooting performance at the NBA Top 100 Camp in early June, the Florida Gators pulled the trigger on an offer, joining the likes of Vanderbilt, Florida State, Arkansas, UAB and several other SEC and nationally respected programs.
With the allure of leaving the country lifestyle and everything he's grown up around, it looked as if Riley was getting ready to make a major commitment before the July live period started.
However, as the month wore on, he began to become fatigued, not only physically, but mentally. The entire process was wearing on the #52 prospect in the country, and he was becoming more and more ready to make his commitment.
After talking it over with his entire family, the move that felt right for the entire Norris family was to stay in-state and suit up for the Crimson Tide. With his older brother enrolling at the university this fall, and his hometown being only two hours from Tuscaloosa, the opportunity to play at Alabama became too good to pass up.
His commitment is huge for the Crimson Tide program, coming on the heels of Future150's #84 prospect Justin Coleman pledging his allegiance to Tide nation.
Look for Alabama to now target Dallas County High School (AL) power forward William Lee as the Tide will look to continue to lock down state borders in the 2014 class.
Comments:
Wow! The University of Ala. is racking up in the state. First Coleman, now Norris. If they are able to get Wiliam Lee that would be huge! Auburn & UAB betta’ tighten up. South Ala. & Troy are very long shots! It’s good to see that these players are staying in the state of Alabama!