MORGANTOWN —
West Virginia University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams continued a successful recruiting season Tuesday, announcing the signings of three new players.
Coach Bob Huggins’ men’s team landed Elijah Macon, a 6-9, 250-pound power forward who had intended to come to WVU last year but was not qualified, forcing him to attend Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.
At the same time, women’s coach Mike Carey signed Teana Muldrow of East Orange, N.J., and Lubirdia Gordon from Mount Vernon, N.Y., the same school that sent men’s players Lowes Moore, Kevin Jones and Jabarie Hinds to WVU along with current women’s player Taylor Palmer.
Her coach at Mount Vernon was Lowes Moore’s wife, Patrice Wallace-Moore.
Macon attended Huntington Prep in Huntington last year, playing for coach Rob Fulford, where he averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game. Prior to that he spent three years at Marion-Franklin High in Columbus, Ohio, and averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as a junior.
Macon was tabbed by The Columbus Dispatch as a District 10 All-Star and named to the All-City League South Division first team. He also earned All-Ohio Area honorable mention honors as a junior. Macon was ranked as the No. 1 junior prospect in the state of Ohio by Ohio Prep Spotlight magazine, rated as the 13th-best power forward by Scout, is a Rivals 4 star and ranked as the No. 44 best player in the 2012 class by ESPNU. Macon played AAU basketball for the All-Ohio Red.
“Obviously, Elijah brings a great deal of athleticism and talent,” Huggins said in making the announcement. “He not only has tremendous rebounding abilities but also the ability to change and alter shots inside. His year at prep school will certainly better prepare him to make an immediate impact. Without a doubt, Elijah has been one of the premier power forwards in the country.”
Macon joins Nathan Adrian (Morgantown/Morgantown High School) and Brandon Watkins (Decatur, Ga./Grady High School) in the 2013-14 recruiting class. The November signing period continues through Wednesday and one other player is expected to sign.
Carey’s two-player class both are four-star prospects.
“We are really excited to have this pair become a part of the Mountaineer family next year,” Carey said. “They are both great student-athletes who come from great families and will contribute to the success of West Virginia women’s basketball over the next four years.”
Muldrow, an East Orange, N.J., native, ranked No. 34 overall nationally by ESPNU HoopGurlz. Her highest ranking came at No. 31 by Blue Star, but she also ranked No. 36 nationally and No. 5 at forward by the All-Star Girls Report. Standing at 6-2, Muldrow is considered a force in the paint with five 30-point games and scoring in double figures in all 26 games last season.
“Teana is a good-size guard that can go inside and outside,” Carey said. “We’re excited about her because she can shoot the three, go inside and can play multiple positions. She gives us another big guard.”
Gordon, a 6-4 post player, ranks No. 11 in her position by ESPNU HoopGurlz and No. 60 overall, according to Dan Olson’s Collegiate Report. As a junior at Mount Vernon High, Gordon averaged 13.5 points per game, 11.9 rebounds per game and 3.1 blocks per game.
“Birdie gives us another post player with size that is much needed for the Big 12 Conference,” Carey said. “She will really help us out in the paint and is a player that can come in and contribute immediately.”
Gordon, a varsity player since the seventh grade, has participated in four consecutive sectional finals, won two consecutive sectional tournaments, played in two consecutive regional finals and was a part of a New York State Class AA semifinal appearance. She was named All-Section honorable mention and All-State 12th team as a sophomore, while earning All-Section and All-State third team honors as a junior. Gordon has amassed 781 points, 690 rebounds and 170 blocks at Mount Vernon High.
Bob Herzel
WVU men, women sign three more
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