by Alex Schwartz

He is one of the best low post players in America, a 6'10 mammoth of a man. He had the chance to play in the Big East, the Big Ten, and the SEC. Instead, Aaric Murray '09 will be going to the Atlantic 10 for his college ball. The senior center committed to La Salle in mid-September, choosing the Explorers over a host of other schools. "I think it was the perfect fit. I liked everything about it, . . . socially, . . . athletically. . . . I wanted to stay close to home," said Murray when I spoke  to him on the phone Saturday night. I asked Murray what he would said to people who question why he went to La Salle over numerous high-major powers: "This is my thrid year playing ball . . . [I have had] no favorite [teams]. . . . I don't want to go to the North Carolinas and the Dukes. No, I want to go where it feels right. . . . They [are] not the ones going there." He would go on to say, "It's a family up there," and that "everybody was keeping it real."

In talking with Murray, it became clear that education is important to him. "A lot of people say that I'm going to be two-and-done, but I want to get my diploma so I have something to fall back on," replied Aaric when I asked him how long he plans on attending college. Although he said he is "trying to go to the NBA . . . or overseas," the big man said that if that does not work out he would be a "businessman instead of a basketball player." As of now though, it seems likely that Murray—who is unsure of what his major will be—will have a future on the hardwood, as he is so physically gifted, has great size, and will continue to improve. Regarding education, Murray currently attends Glen Mills (PA). According to the school's website, Glen Mills "is the oldest existing residential school for court referred young men in the country." Yes, that is correct, for those of you that do not know, Glen Mills is a school for court-ordered youth, yet as the website also states, the "students are not 'bad boys'." This is evident once you talk to Murray, who is a genuinely nice person. I had heard that Murray had the option to leave Glen Mills, as he had completed his mandated time to be there, yet chose not to. Aaric confirmed that saying, "I was committed to it. . . . I couldn't just up and leave. . . . I stayed there. I felt comfortable where I was. . . . That's my family right now." Considering that he attends Glen Mills, people will have questions about Murray's character, so I inquired of him what he would say to people who do question that: "I don't really [have] any response. . . . They don't really talk to me. . . . I'll let the numbers do the talking." I will tell all of you that when you do actually speak with Aaric Murray, it becomes evident that he is a great kid.

"I expect to earn that spot. I'm going to try my hardest to earn that starting spot." That is what Murray said when I asked him if he expects to start as a freshman. Aaric can be modest and say that he is going to work to earn the spot, but quite frankly, he had the capability to have such a major impact for John Giannini and Co., that there is almost no way he will not be in the starting five on opening night. At La Salle, Murray has the potential to be one of the best players in the A-10 as a freshman, and assuming he really does stay for four years to get his diploma, it's scary to think about just how dominant he would be as a junior and senior. The Explorers have a fantastic 2009 recruiting class with Murray and Nurideen Lindsey, another Pennsylvania star. "I know of him," said Murray of Lindsey, though he added that he has "no real relationship" with him. Aaric did say, "I've played in a couple of tournaments with him. . . . He [is] a good dude." The senior superstar said that at La Salle he plans on "winning, winning a lot. That's what I want to do, . . . take the rankings to a whole different level, . . . step it up a notch." With Murray, Lindsey, and Mississippi State transfer Vernon Goodridge in the fold and John Giannini at the helm, that is a distinct possibility. Murray, who "might go . . . stop by" at La Salle's Midnight Madness event—which is November 6—told me that he watches "highlights of Kobe [Bryant] and LeBron [James]," and that he feels like he "could be like one of them one day. It just makes [him] go harder."

The Glen Mills stud, who said that the one word he would use to sum up his game is "smooth," feels that the main strength in his game is "just [his] presence." He added, "Every time I'm on the court, my presence is felt. . . . Guards know I'm in the paint. . . . The offense takes care of itself." So what does the big-time recruit say his weakest point is? "I [am not] . . . always worrying about the game. . . [I need to] not [be] focusing on other stuff [during the game]." He will be taking all of that with him to La Salle, where he wants to experience the "college life, . . . fit in, . . . [and] be able to make it through and get [his] degree." Aaric Murray will likely have no trouble fitting in with his fellow Explorers, as he goes for double-doubles and establishes himself as one of the most dominant big men in the nation. He could have done it just about anywhere, but he chose La Salle.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/.