The Tech men’s basketball staff only had two scholarships at their disposal heading into the 2009 fall signing period, but the coaches feel they got their money’s worth, signing two prospects who not only fulfill needs, but also possess the ability to get on the court quickly.
Jarell Eddie, a 6-foot-7, 209-pound wing player from Charlotte, N.C, and Tyrone Garland, a 6-1, 170-pound point guard from Philadelphia signed letters-of-intent and plan on joining the Tech program next summer.
“Both players have the ability to make shots and make plays,” Tech head coach Seth Greenberg said. “They both reflect the work ethic, toughness and character we are looking for in players at Virginia Tech.”
Eddie plays at Cannon School in Concord, N.C., and has scored more than 2,000 points in his career heading into this season. He led the Cougars to a co-conference championship in the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association last season, averaging 25 points and eight rebounds per game. As a sophomore, Eddie averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game.
Rivals.com ranked Eddie the No. 63 prospect nationally and the No. 12 small forward. Scout.com ranked him the No. 10 small forward nationally.
Glen Taylor, who used to coach at Christchurch near the Eastern Shore of Virginia, took over the head coaching duties at Cannon School this past summer, and he realized quickly that he had inherited a talented individual in Eddie.
“In baseball terms, he’s a five-tool player,” Taylor said. “His skill set is so advanced for someone his size. He can handle the ball and his shooting stroke has improved dramatically. He’s a lights-out 3-point shooter, and when he wants to take the ball to the rim, he’s impossible to stay in front of.
“I really think he’s one of the best-kept secrets in the country. He committed so early and then it became ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ If he had waited, we’d have ESPNU on our campus today [signing day].”
Taylor plans on keeping Eddie at the small forward spot for his senior season, even though Eddie stands 6-7 and would be an imposing post player at the prep level.
Eddie figures to be catching a lot of passes in the future from Garland, who plays at John Bartram High. Last season as a junior, he was a first-team All-City selection by the Philadelphia Daily News and a first-team all-state selection in Class AAAA by the Associated Press.
Garland was the leading scorer in Philadelphia and the Philly Public League as a junior, averaging 28.9 points per game. Rivals ranked him a three-star recruit and Scout rated him the No. 26 point guard prospect in the nation.
Garland guided Bartram to an 18-9 record as a junior. He scored 40 points in the team’s first-round playoff game and hit a 3-pointer with three seconds left to tie the game and send it into overtime. He added 21 points in a losing effort in a second-round game.
“There’s not much he can’t do,” Bartram coach James Brown said. “He not only can handle the ball, but he’s also got a knack for scoring. He can do both.
“He’s a fine young man. I’ve been in this business for 30 years and I’ve had talented players. Virginia Tech is not only getting a good player, but also a good kid. He’s the total package.”
