Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech men’s basketball program has announced the signing of four players to national letters of intent during the fall early signing period. The four players will join the program for the 2009-10 academic year.
Manny Atkins, a 6-7, 200 lbs. wing, Ben Boggs, a 6-4, 185 lbs. guard, Erick Green, a 6-2, 180 lbs. guard and Cadarian Raines, a 6-8, 210 lbs. forward will join the team next fall.
“I think we filled our needs in this class,” head coach Seth Greenberg said. “Obviously, losing A.D. Vassallo, we needed a big wing player and Atkins fills that void. With Cheick’s departure, we needed a front court rebounder and Cadarian Raines really has a chance to be special at that position. Ben Boggs is just a very good basketball player. There isn’t an aspect of the game he doesn’t excel at. Erick Green is a pure, set-up point guard who can defend the basketball.”
Atkins is from Stone Mountain, Ga., where he plays for head coach James Hartry at Tucker High School. He was a second-team all-state selection as a junior, when he averaged 20.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. As a sophomore, Atkins helped Tucker to a state championship. He averaged 13.4 points per game that season. He is ranked as the #26 wing forward nationally by Scout.com and as the 89th ranked senior by Prepstars.com. He is a member of the National Honor Society and carries a 3.8 grade point average.
“Manny Atkins has the total package,” Greenberg said. “He is a terrific student, athlete and has tremendous leadership skills. He comes from an outstanding high school program. He has a toughness and a tremendous work ethic. He has the potential to develop into a similar player as A.D. Vassallo.”
Ben Boggs is a senior at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke, Va., where he plays for head coach Troy Wells. He averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game as a junior, 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists as a sophomore and 13 points and six rebounds as a freshman. He is ranked the #26 shooting guard nationally by ESPN.
“Ben Boggs is a fierce competitor and a winning player,” Greenberg said. “He has a toughness about him that sets him apart. He’s a hard-driving guard that has the ability to make shots. He is an outstanding defender and a winner in every aspect.”
“I get a kick out of people that question Ben’s quickness. I’ve yet to see a player keep him out of the lane. He has a tremendous first step and changes speeds and uses his body very well.”
Erick Green is originally from Winchester, Va., but will play his senior season at Paul VI High School in Fairfax, Va. As a junior, he played for Millbrook High School, where he led the Pioneers to the Class AA Virginia State Championship. He was the Northwestern District and Region II Player of the Year as a junior, when he averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Green averaged 14.1 points, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a sophomore, when he was a first-team all-Northwestern District selection.
“Erick Green is a pure point guard. He understands how to run a team, distribute the basketball and make other players better ,” Greenberg said. “He understands pace and tempo and has a great feel for the game. His length makes him, potentially, a great defender. He is a winner, having already won a state championship. The year spent playing in one of the best high school leagues in the country will only better prepare him for college basketball.”
Cadarian Raines is from Petersburg, Va., where he plays at Petersburg High School for head coach Bill Lawson III. He was the co-Central District Player of the Year as a junior, when he helped lead the Crimson Wave to 27-4 overall record. He was a first team All-Region and All-Metro selection as a junior, averaging 14.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.8 blocked shots per game. He is ranked as the #17 center and #62 overall player as a senior by Scout.com.
“Cadarian Raines has the chance to be a world class rebounder,” Greenberg said. “He pursues every single shot like it’s a pass off the backboard. He has a nose for the basketball and has a relentless passion to rebound. He is extremely athletic and can run the floor and he is a better offensive player than we anticipated. He has a chance to be a special front court player.”
The Hokies open the 2008-09 season on Friday, Nov. 14, against Gardner-Webb at 8 p.m., in Cassell Coliseum. This will be the Centennial Season of basketball at Virginia Tech.