Projo Sports Blog

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

PROVIDENCE - First it was Maryland. Then Michigan. Now Keno Davis' first recruiting class as Providence College's head coach is growing again with an addition from Georgia.

Kadeem Batts, a 6-foot-8 forward from John McEachern High in Powder Springs, Ga., has committed to the Friars. Batts visited Providence this weekend and committed to Davis before he returned home to Atlanta yesterday. Batts joins two guards, Antoine Allen of Baltimore and Duke Mondy of Grand Rapids, Mich., in a class of recruits that can sign letters-of-intent in November and arrive on campus next summer.

"I don't know Duke but, I got to scrimmage with Antoine and he's a real good scorer and passer," Batts said. "Basketball-wise, it's a real good fit for me up there."

Batts, who is regarded as a tough rebounder and shot blocker and is only 17 years old, heard from a wide variety of colleges. Indiana, Marquette, Minnesota, Western Kentucky and the College of Charleston all offered scholarships, according to McEachern coach Mike Thompson.

Batts may live in Georgia but he's returning home by choosing to play in the Big East. The 230-pound forward grew up in Boston and attended Lincoln-Sudbury High for two years before moving to the Atlanta suburbs last summer. After hearing from Providence when Tim Welsh was coach, Batts continued to think about PC once Davis and assistant coach Pat Skerry contacted him last spring.

"I'm still a Boston guy," Batts said yesterday just before asking how the Patriots were doing. "We moved down there for family issues, but I'm looking forward to getting back."

Batts joined a powerhouse prep program at McEachern that plays in Atlanta's highest division (5-A) and boats alumni like NBA forwards Josh Smith and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. McEachern finished 22-8 last season and was knocked out of the playoffs last spring by Wheeler High, the alma mater of PC point guard Sharaud Curry.

Batts, Curry (Gainesville) and sophomore guard Marshon Brooks (Tucker) will give the Friars three Atlanta-area players in the program next season.

Batts was a key player for McEachern as a junior but averaged just 7 points and 5 rebounds a game. He was overshadowed by guard Trae Golden, who was one of the top sophomores in the country, and current University of Richmond freshman Darrius Garrett, but is hoping to share a much larger role with Golden this season. Golden is being recruited by high-profile colleges like Ohio State, Kentucky, Georgia and Georgia Tech.

"We've got five guys that will probably sign (with) Division One schools," said Thompson. "I don't look for his numbers to be gaudy but be can be a double-figure guy in points and rebounds and be our best defender. He understands that we can win a state championship."

Thompson added that PC is getting a high-quality prospect off the floor as well.

"In basketball you have a lot of self-centered, greedy kids but he's completely opposite of that. He's a very mature kid."

Batts, who says he weighs 230 pounds, is hoping to continue expanding his game this year and bring a variety of skills to the Big East next fall.

"I can step out and handle the ball and make shots and Coach Davis' system will let me do that," he said. "That's one of the reasons I think Providence is a good fit for me."

 Tags  Kadeem Batts PC basketball

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