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Blanchard to attend Michigan

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Posted: Tuesday May 11, 1999 09:28 AM

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- LaVell Blanchard, the runner-up for Michigan's Mr. Basketball Award and the power behind Ann Arbor Pioneer's Class A state basketball crown last season, said he will play college basketball for the hometown Michigan Wolverines.

Blanchard said he had winnowed his choices to Michigan, California, Virginia, Penn State and Georgetown, then made a "tough decision."

"People say the two most important decisions in your life are where you're going to college and who you're going to marry," the 6-foot-7 forward told the Detroit Free Press for a story Tuesday.

Blanchard hasn't yet signed a letter of intent, but said he has notified Wolverines head coach Brian Ellerbe of his decision.

"I'm very relieved," Blanchard said. "I can get started now and get in with the program. Now I can start playing with them and get to know them better."

Blanchard, named the Gatorade Player of the Year by Scholastic Coach magazine and a USA Today All-America, had 29 points and 14 rebounds to lead Pioneer to their first state title with a 54-47 victory over Saginaw Arthur Hill.

He averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.5 blocks per game last season, repeating as a Class A All-State selection. Along the way, he had a high game of 52 points and broke ex-NBA player Bob Elliott's career scoring mark at more than 1,530 points.

Recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports Publications in Lenoir, N.C., ranked Blanchard as the nation's top prep prospect.

"He's a huge recruit for them," Gibbons told the Free Press. "He is a saving grace for the program. If they would have lost him, it would have been a mortal loss for the program."

Gibbons said Michigan's incoming freshman class is among the top five in the country.

Blanchard joins guard Kevin Gaines of Las Vegas, guard Jamal Crawford of Seattle, guard Gavin Groninger of Plainfield, Ind., and forward Leland Anderson of Attleboro, Mass.

"A big reason why I chose Michigan was the players -- the new ones and the ones who are already there," Blanchard told the Detroit News. "They influenced me a lot, as did the coaching staff."

 

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