by Alex Schwartz

As the #23 ranked player in the NBE Post-Summer Class of 2011 Top 150, Adjehi Baru, a 6'9 power forward from Steward School (VA), had a whole host of powerhouse programs on trail. A trio of ACC schools (Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech) were on his final list and most elite players in the Old Dominion State do opt to play in the ACC.

For proof, just look at the fact that prior to Baru committing, the four highest ranked players in the state in the class of 2011 were all headed to an ACC school. In fact, eight of the first 11 ranked players from Virginia to commit opted for an ACC program. Three of the top four ranked player in the state in Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrific 125 headed to an ACC school.

Adjehi Baru broke the mold when he became the highest ranked player at a Virginia high school to head outside of ACC territory. According to ESPN and Scout, the big man committed to and signed with the College of Charleston, a school in the Southern Conference.

Granted, Baru is different from most other Virginia hoopsters, as he has only been in the US for about two years after coming over from the Ivory Coast. Nonetheless, he does attend high school in Virginia and more often than not players from that state—even those who come to school in Virginia from other states—end up at an ACC program. For example, #20 ranked Quinn Cook, who is headed to Duke, and #131 ranked Robert Brown is going to Virginia Tech. In addition, as aforementioned, Baru had three ACC schools high up on his list. He chose to go a different route, though.

In picking C of C, Baru becomes the second highest ranked player in the class to go with a non-BCS school and one of the only two in the top 30 to do so. The other one is #7 ranked Adonis Thomas of Melrose (TN), who decided to stay in-city and attend Memphis, which has reeled in big-time recruits time after time over the past half dozen years and even before that.

Baru is the only ranked player who is headed to a school in the SoCon. Of the 137 committed players on the list, Baru is one of just 15 bound for a school outside of the big six conferences. In addition, of those 15, Baru is one of just six who will not suit up in the Atlantic 10, Conference USA, or the Sun Belt.

All of this shows just how big of a coup Adjehi Baru is for head coach Bobby Cremins and the College of Charleston Cougars. In Baru, C of C has a player with the potential to absolutely dominate the SoCon for however long his in college and make a major impact from day one.

In addition to the Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech, Baru also considered USC and there was thought that Kentucky was getting involved. So, just how did the College of Charleston beat out all of these programs? The answer is fairly simple.

In addition to announcing the signing of Baru on Monday, C of C also announced that 6'1 shooting guard Pat Branin had inked with the Cougars. Not only is Branin a teammate of Baru at Steward School, but his father is also Baru's guardian here in the US. It has been reported by some that C of C was the only Division I school to offer Branin a scholarship. Thus, it seems that this is what is labeled as a "package deal" in recruiting circles, though there is technically not 100% proof of this.

Baru is an imposing physical specimen at 6'9 and a chiseled 215 pounds. His wingspan and reach are almost unheard of for a player his height. Baru has a wingspan of 7'5, which was the best of all players at the 2010 NBPA Top 100 Camp, despite the fact that there were a number of players taller than him. Only one other player at the camp who checked in at 6'9 had a wingspan above 7'0 and none were above 7'2. Baru's standing reach of 9'1 was good for a tie in second at the camp, behind only a player who stands 7-feet tall.

In addition to his great numbers on paper, Baru is a phenomenal basketball player. Despite being relatively new to the game, he is developing at a rapid pace and has his best basketball ahead of him. Baru is a threat to score when he has the ball, is a great rebounder, plays strong defense, and is one of the hardest working players in the class.

Baru is part of a four-man recruiting class for C of C that also includes Branin, 6'1 point guard Anthony Stitt of Butler (NC), and 6'4 shooting guard Trevonte Dixon of Christ School (NC).

Note- photo is from http://www.ny2lasports.com/