MU lands Big Man from Minnesota

UPDATED
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that Tom Crean has landed prize recruit Trevor Mbakwe, a 6-8 power forward out of Mendota Heights, MN. In the RCSI pre-season ranking for the class of 2007 Mbakwe ranks 67th.

MU landed the big man over the likes of Georgetown, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Florida, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Michigan and Kentucky (although early word out of Madison is that Bo Ryan had cooled on Mbakwe).

Crean has been under pressure from some for not brining in a blue-chip big man with one of his 2007 scholarships. Landing Mbakwe should quiet some of the critics.

Mbakwe cited Tom Crean's proven track record of developing talent as a key factor in his decision:

"He's put Dwyane Wade, Travis Diener and Steve Novak in (the NBA), and Dominic James is most likely going to be there in a couple years," said Mbakwe. "A lot of guys wouldn't have pictured Travis Diener or Steve Novak in the NBA coming out of high school. They came a long way."

MU is looking for another frontcourt player with it's final scholarship for 2007, and has been recruiting Keaton Nankivil out of Madison Memorial, Idris Hilliard from The Hun School in Princeton, NJ, and Jerai Grant out of Hyattsville, MD. The Journal-Sentinel reports that MU is also pursuing PF George Goode out of Raytown, MO while some internet reports have MU after PF DeJuan Blair of Schenley high school in Pittsburgh as well.

Mbakwe's profile on Scout.com, and on Rivals.com

Rivals.com has two videos of Trevor Mbakwe here (subscription required).

MEDIA UPDATE
- Here's the Pioneer Press (MN) on the verbal.

- Here is the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on the latest high school basketball star to leave the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the desirable hoops zip code of 53233.

- Here is Ring Out Ahoya! on the Mbakwe decision.

- Here is Scout.com's interview with Mbakwe (subscribers only)

Finally, a photo of Trevor (#42) battling for a rebound during a game last season.

Welcome to Marquette, Trevor!