There are several ingredients in the make-up up Bob Huggins’ West Virginia Mountaineer basketball team that match what Doron Lamb is looking for in a potential college. Lamb, a 6-foot-4, 183-pound shooting guard, plays for storied Oak Hill Academy and is originally from Laurelton, N.Y. He took an unofficial visit to WVU this weekend while playing in the 2010 Prime Time Shootout high school tournament and shared the latest on his recruitment Saturday night inside the WVU Coliseum.
After scoring 23 points and leading Oak Hill to a 63-56 win over Columbia (Ga.), Lamb said who his final four schools are. “West Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona. They’re even right now.”
Against Columbia, Lamb showed off his shooting touch, going six of eight from the floor, including two of three from three-point range, and making nine of 13 free throws. He also had a pair of assists and a rebound.
ESPN Scouts, Inc. rates Lamb as the fourth best shooting guard prospect in the 2010 class.
Lamb took in WVU’s 71-65 win over Ohio State on Saturday and learned a few things he didn’t know about the Mountaineers. “I just watched the game and toured around the arena. I learned that they play hard and they run that motion offense,” he said. “They get a lot of points for that. They play defense and the coach [Bob Huggins] is good. He makes pros. They just play hard and they don’t quit.”
Pending a commitment and eventual signing, Lamb wouldn’t be among strangers, at WVU. He already knows Danny Jennings, Truck Bryant, Devin Ebanks and Kevin Jones, who like Lamb, are all from New York.
“I went to school with Danny when I was a freshman. I know Truck from AAU Gauchos,” Lamb said. “I know Ebanks -- went to my school, too. I know Kevin Jones from New York.
“I want to play with a good surrounding cast because if you don’t play with good players, you’re not going to win.”
Bryant, who watched Lamb’s game against Columbia, had plans to take Lamb around Morgantown, on Saturday night. “He’s supposed to take me out when I go back to the hotel,” said Lamb. “This is like Oak Hill, but with more people. It’s like middle of nowhere, but more people here.”
Assistant coach Larry Harrison started recruiting Lamb to WVU and Huggins joined in on the pitch to explain specifically how he could fit into the team.
“I talked to coach Harrison,” Lamb said. “He started recruiting me and then Bob started recruiting me, getting into my school and talking to me. He told how I’d fit in the offense and how I’d be good for next year, in the rotation.”
Lamb had heard of Huggins’ hard-nosed reputation, but after meeting the coach in person, he got a better understanding of his personality. “I heard he was mean,” Lamb said. “He sounds like a nice guy though, when I met him. I just know that Bob Huggins coaches hard and he works hard on his players.”
Earning early playing time is one of Lamb’s top priorities and looking at WVU’s point guard depth, it would appear he would have a chance to do so. “I just want to play right away,” Lamb said. “He’s [Huggins] only got Truck that can go off the dribble, so he said he needs me to be in the backcourt with him and do the same things he can do.”
Lamb is finished with taking recruiting visits and has an idea of when he’s going to announce his commitment.
“I’m thinking about colleges right now and my high school season. I’m worried about what school fits me, the best coach for me and what makes me better,” he said. “In April I’ll make my decision. I’m just going to sit down with my family and just pick a school.”