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UTEP Basketball: Floyd Lands Second 2014 Verbal Commit From Louisiana

New Orleans Point Guard Tyree Griffin (Landry-Walker), gives UTEP its 3rd verbal commit for 2014 at the guard position.

By MinerleagueAROD
Casey Sapio-US PRESSWIRE

This evening via Twitter MinerRush learned that New Orleans point guard Tyree Griffin is headed to El Paso.  Griffin's verbal gives the Miners their third and possibly final commit for 2014.

Griffin is listed as 5'9 160 lbs, and was also being recruited hard by Texas A&M, as well as being tabbed a 3-star recruit by Rivals.com. He will add needed depth next season in a back court that has huge questions coming into this season.

TYREE ON FIYA - TYREE GRIFFIN Sophmore Clips (O.P.Walker High School) (via blackandgoldfanatics)


He is the definition of a true point guard with his elite ball handling and savvy basketball IQ.  His ability to create offense is under-rated in my opinion, as is his athleticism and shooting ability.  Though defense is where I think he will win minutes once he arrives for 2014-15 practice.

The former 4A district MVP is also automatic from the charity stripe, and will have an opportunity to compete for a state title as a senior this year. The big thing to watch for is if how he improves his scoring ability and 3-point shot, though he is a pass first guard as noted.

He will likely battle recent Miner commit Omega Harris for minutes in a 2014-15 back court that will be stacked nicely with veterans C.J. Cooper and McKenzie Moore, giving UTEP a really nice balance of seasoned vets and youth.

That experience should ease the graduation turnover that will happen after next season and benefit the young Miners, having played a year with the Miner all C-USA potential veterans that will remain on the roster.

While going forward the back court looks very crowded in the 2014 recruiting class, the 2015 class could possibly feature another Louisiana guard.

Along with the commitment of Griffin the Rush also learned UTEP is hard after 2015 4-Star Guard (Rivals, ESPN, Scout.com) Melvin Frazier.

Frazier is from Marrero, LA, which is the same hometown as former great Miner Jason Williams.  He is listed by the major recruiting sites as a top 50 player, though with upcoming camps and AAU exposure I expect his stardom to rise in the next year.

Stay tuned to the Rush for more UTEP basketball recruiting news as the early signing period for basketball starts November 13th and ends on the 20th of November.