Hokies Receive 2015 LOIs
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On the first day of the fall signing period, Virginia Tech has solidified the three members of its class, ranked as one of the top classes in the country. The class is highlighted by the highest signee the school has received since 2011.
The Hokies have received signed national letters of intent from all three of their commitments for the 2015 class: four-star forward Chris Clarke, three-star forward Kerry Blackshear and three-star point guard Justin Robinson.
Clarke, No. 59 in the 2015 Rivals150, committed to Virginia Tech Thursday. It had been just one week since he had committed to Tennessee. But after re-thinking his options, Clarke had a change of heart. he called coach Buzz Williams and assistant coach Isaac Chew to give them his commitment. Clarke becomes the Hokies' highest ranked signee since four-star Dorian Finney-Smith, No. 31 in the 2011 Rivals150. Finney-Smith has since transferred to Florida.
Clarke is a versatile wing who is a monster in transition. He had an impressive performance in June at the NBAPA Top 100 camp in which he showed his ability to contend with and at times, dominate high competition. That camp had a huge role in elevating Clarke to his current ranking.
Blackshear, No. 110 in the Rivals150, was Virginia Tech's first commitment for the class. He gave assistant coach Steve Roccaforte his commitment Oct. 4, a week after officially visiting the Hokies, the same visit as Clarke's official.
Blackshear is a strong post player who can also step outside to shoot as well. Long and lean, he's a hard-worker on the glass and also good at timing up a few blocks as well.
Robinson, a three-star point guard, is just outside the Rivals150, but could make his way into the next set of rankings. A true point guard, Robinson played AAU ball alongside Clarke with Boo Williams.
Virginia Tech could have its next big floor general in Robinson, who has displayed a good knack of finding open teammates, making crisp passes while also getting into the lane and to the basket when he needs to or when the defense opens up.
"I think we addressed some needs, physically," Williams said. "I obviously think we addressed some depth issues that are glaring. Our current kids were phenomenal hosts in every way. You're allowed one host, but we had kids that were a part of everything we were doing except eating, just because they believe in what we're doing and how we're going about it, so I'm really excited."
Overall, this class is ranked No. 25 in the country by Rivals.com, No. 6 in the ACC. The three signees today also signify the end of the 2015 class, as the Hokies fully shift their focus to a number of top 2016 and 2017 targets.
Rivals.com National Analyst Eric Bossi's Take On VT
Buzz Williams is busy rebuilding the program in his own image and he has landed a trio of guys who fit his style. Clarke -- who initially committed to Tennessee -- is a high energy athlete who does all the little things while Blackshear is a rapidly emerging big man with athleticism. A pass-first point guard with quickness, Robinson may be the best prospect outside of the Rivals150.
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