Nov. 8, 2006
ATLANTA – Gani Lawal, a 6-8 forward from Norcross, Ga., Maurice Miller, a 6-2 guard from Memphis, Tenn., and Lance Storrs, a 6-5 guard from Decatur, Ga., all signed letters-of-intent to play basketball at Georgia Tech, head coach Paul Hewitt announced Wednesday.
Two of the players, Lawal and Miller, rank among the nation’s top 100 prep seniors and will give Tech depth at forward and point guard, while Storrs will give the Yellow Jackets another excellent shooter from the perimeter.
“This group fits every need that we identified going into this recruiting season,” said Hewitt. “We identified Gani very early, and we watched Lance grow as a player. Mo Miller, after seeing him last January, became a major priority for us.”
Lawal, ranked among the top 10 power forward in the nation by Scouthoops.com and as high as No. 27 overall by Rivalshoops.com, averaged 17.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocked shots for head coach Ed Martin in leading Norcross High School to the AAAAA state championship last year. Lawal also was a third-team prep All-America choice by Street & Smith’s magazine.
“Gani is a very important young man for the future of Georgia Tech basketball,” said Hewitt. “Not only is he an outstanding talent, but he’s also shown us through his academic work and how he conducts himself in the court that he can be one of the future leaders of this program.”
Miller, an all-state choice at Raleigh Egypt High School in Memphis, is rated the nation’s No. 15 point guard and 90th among all high school seniors by Scouthoops.com. Miller averaged 15.4 points, 8.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds last year for coach Jimmy Adams. He has helped Raleigh Egypt to a 99-10 record and three state tournament appearances in three seasons.
“He’s a throwback point guard who plays for a former college coach, Jimmy Adams, who does a great job at Raleigh Egypt High School,” said Hewitt. “Mo is a very smart player, an excellent passer, and really knows how to run a team.”
An all-state performer at Columbia High School for coach Philip McCrary, Storrs helped Columbia to the state AAAA championship in Georgia last year. Ranked 39th among shooting guards by Scouthoops.com, Storrs averaged 14 points a game last year at Columbia.
“He’s a shooter with size,” Hewitt said. “I’ve always been very comfortable coaching big perimeter players, and Lance fits into that mold. He is also an honor student who should excel at Georgia Tech.”
Tech’s last three recruiting classes have included five players from the state of Georgia, beginning with current sophomores Alade Aminu (Stone Mountain) and Lewis Clinch (Cordele) and continuing with current freshman point guard Javaris Crittenton (Atlanta).
“Ever since I’ve been at Georgia Tech, the state of Georgia has turned out outstanding, talented players who are qualified academically,” said Hewitt. “We don’t necessarily get everyone we go after, but there are so many that, if we get one or two each year, it will help us to be competitive in the ACC and nationally.”
