In a double dose of stunning news, one of the nation's top bigs fast tracks his path to the NBA.
Video: Charles Bassey highlightsSee new Western Kentucky pledge in action on adidas circuit.Evan Daniels of 247Sports reported Wednesday afternoon that Class of 2019 five-star center prospect
Charles Bassey of
ASPIRE Academy (Louisville, Ky.) not only committed to Western Kentucky, but will join the program immediately.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound native of Nigeria is reclassifying to 2018 and will be eligible to play for the Hilltoppers during the 2018-19 season. 247Sports had Bassey pegged as the No. 3 overall prospect in the rising senior class.
Bassey averaged 19.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per game last season for ASPIRE Academy, an upstart independent academy.
He previously played at
St. Anthony (San Antonio, Texas) and was a first team Freshman All-American in 2015-16.
MaxPreps profiled Bassey back in November 2015 as he was making the transition from Nigeria to Texas.
Western Kentucky went 27-11 in 2017-18 under head coach Rick Stansbury, reaching the semifinals of the NIT. While Daniels noted in his story that the Hilltoppers were considered the favorite in his recruitment prior to Wednesday, it will still be a shock for many college basketball fans to see a prospect this highly-touted headed to Bowling Green.
Charles Bassey in action for ASPIRE Academy against Prolific Prep in January.
Photo by: Samuel Stringer
