[WrecklessParticipant]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=5831939
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The big news Saturday at the National Prep Showcase wasn’t necessarily the action being played on the floor, but instead a major development on the recruiting scene.

Khem Birch (Montreal/Notre Dame Prep), the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Class of 2012, has decided to forgo his post-graduate year by signing a letter of intent with the University of Pittsburgh.

While word of Birch’s commitment began to swirl around the gym at Albertus Magnus College by midday, it wasn’t until early evening when his mother, Wendy Sparks, confirmed the news to ESPN.

“He’s a Panther,” Sparks said. “Khem is ecstatic and we are all so happy.”

Birch was on the floor leading his team to an 87-81 win over Westwind Prep while news of his signing began to swirl around the gym. Following the game he spoke about his decision and why he felt it was best to forgo his intended post-graduate year.

“As the year went by my coaches told me I might have a chance to go to 2011 and I thought that was a good idea because it will help me to get better in college instead of staying in high school,” Birch said. “I just felt really comfortable with all of the coaches and players at Pittsburgh and I wanted to get there as quickly as possible because I knew it would help me to become a better player.”

While Sparks confirmed that both she and Birch signed the letter of intent Wednesday, the final day of the early signing period, she also said that this was something that had been in the works for several weeks since Birch made a verbal commitment to the Panthers in late September.

“We decided a while ago that this is where we wanted to go,” Sparks said. “We were keeping things very quiet because we wanted to make sure it came from us. We are quiet people. We just wanted to make sure the time was right.

“He has had a great experience but it was time for him to move on and excel his game. He is so ready to face that challenge of playing in the Big East and really determined to build his skills.”

Birch grew up in Canada spending time in Ottawa and Montreal before transferring to the Winchendon School to begin the 2009-2010 school year. The 6-foot-9 power forward transferred to Notre Dame Prep later in the year and is expected to graduate this spring.

“This process is very different for us. American ball is a lot different than Canada ball,” Sparks said. “There is a lot of talent but a lot of times it goes unrecognized because there aren’t as many scouts. Khem has always said he wanted to put Canada on the map.”

Birch is the fifth player to sign with Pittsburgh this month, joining PF Jaylen Bond (Plymouth Mtg., Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh Sr.), SG John Johnson (Philadelphia/Life Center Academy), SG DurandProxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0

ohnson (Baltimore/Brewster Academy) and C Malcolm Gilbert (Philadelphia/Academy of the New Church).

“He’s a Panther,” Sparks reiterated, “and I’m a proud future Panther parent!”

I dont know much about him, they say hes an elite level shot blocker and an elite level athlete.

Has anyone seen much of this kid or know a little about him?
Great pickup for Pitt by the way.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I think it’s a a good move. If he had stayed in the 2012 class, he’d be 1-2 years older than his class counterparts.

[dude1955Participant]

So he reclassified to what he should have been all along, and this makes news????

[dude1955Participant]

Hes 18 now, how old are you suppose to be when you graduate highschool?

[dude1955Participant]

Hes 18 now, how old are you suppose to be when you graduate highschool?

[dude1955Participant]

Hes 18 now, how old are you suppose to be when you graduate highschool?

[dude1955Participant]

So he reclassified to what he should have been all along, and this makes news????

[dude1955Participant]

So he reclassified to what he should have been all along, and this makes news????

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I think it’s a a good move. If he had stayed in the 2012 class, he’d be 1-2 years older than his class counterparts.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I think it’s a a good move. If he had stayed in the 2012 class, he’d be 1-2 years older than his class counterparts.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I saw him play in the Hoop Summit this summer, and the guy impressed me quite a bit. He does not have a lot of meat on his bones, but he had a great nose for the ball and was very aggressive, which you have to love in a guy who intends to play 4/5. He grabbed a ton of boards and blocked/altered a lot of shots, to me he was the most valuable player on the Canadian squad in that tournament. Pittsburgh got themselves a great young prospect who might even be around for a couple years, as his offensive game still seems to be a bit raw and he could use a couple years to bulk up a bit and prepare for the even more physical play he would face in the NBA. He is definitely an NBA prospect though, and while I am not sure whether he will play the 4/5, he actually has the length to definitely be considered a Center on the college level. Very interesting prospect, and in a class such as 2011, with a limited amount of Centers, he might indeed be the best long term prospect at that position in his new class. He is very skinny, 6’9 and 180, but he is also solid and will not be pushed around like a rag doll. Center might not be his optimal position in the NBA due to his lack of bulk, but he should be fast enough and an explosive enough athlete to make a really interesting PF. The guys has serious springs, I would guess his vert is anywhere from 35-38, and I would not doubt his wingspan being like 7’2 or more. I could be wrong, just making predictions, but he appears to be a very special athlete to me. I am guessing he will be ranked in around the top 10-15 prospects this year and could be even higher. Great pick-up for Pittsburgh, they have really become close to the premier school in the Big East and are super consistent. 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I saw him play in the Hoop Summit this summer, and the guy impressed me quite a bit. He does not have a lot of meat on his bones, but he had a great nose for the ball and was very aggressive, which you have to love in a guy who intends to play 4/5. He grabbed a ton of boards and blocked/altered a lot of shots, to me he was the most valuable player on the Canadian squad in that tournament. Pittsburgh got themselves a great young prospect who might even be around for a couple years, as his offensive game still seems to be a bit raw and he could use a couple years to bulk up a bit and prepare for the even more physical play he would face in the NBA. He is definitely an NBA prospect though, and while I am not sure whether he will play the 4/5, he actually has the length to definitely be considered a Center on the college level. Very interesting prospect, and in a class such as 2011, with a limited amount of Centers, he might indeed be the best long term prospect at that position in his new class. He is very skinny, 6’9 and 180, but he is also solid and will not be pushed around like a rag doll. Center might not be his optimal position in the NBA due to his lack of bulk, but he should be fast enough and an explosive enough athlete to make a really interesting PF. The guys has serious springs, I would guess his vert is anywhere from 35-38, and I would not doubt his wingspan being like 7’2 or more. I could be wrong, just making predictions, but he appears to be a very special athlete to me. I am guessing he will be ranked in around the top 10-15 prospects this year and could be even higher. Great pick-up for Pittsburgh, they have really become close to the premier school in the Big East and are super consistent. 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I saw him play in the Hoop Summit this summer, and the guy impressed me quite a bit. He does not have a lot of meat on his bones, but he had a great nose for the ball and was very aggressive, which you have to love in a guy who intends to play 4/5. He grabbed a ton of boards and blocked/altered a lot of shots, to me he was the most valuable player on the Canadian squad in that tournament. Pittsburgh got themselves a great young prospect who might even be around for a couple years, as his offensive game still seems to be a bit raw and he could use a couple years to bulk up a bit and prepare for the even more physical play he would face in the NBA. He is definitely an NBA prospect though, and while I am not sure whether he will play the 4/5, he actually has the length to definitely be considered a Center on the college level. Very interesting prospect, and in a class such as 2011, with a limited amount of Centers, he might indeed be the best long term prospect at that position in his new class. He is very skinny, 6’9 and 180, but he is also solid and will not be pushed around like a rag doll. Center might not be his optimal position in the NBA due to his lack of bulk, but he should be fast enough and an explosive enough athlete to make a really interesting PF. The guys has serious springs, I would guess his vert is anywhere from 35-38, and I would not doubt his wingspan being like 7’2 or more. I could be wrong, just making predictions, but he appears to be a very special athlete to me. I am guessing he will be ranked in around the top 10-15 prospects this year and could be even higher. Great pick-up for Pittsburgh, they have really become close to the premier school in the Big East and are super consistent. 

[McDunkin]

Look out Big East if he stays 2 years. Him and Steven Adams together would be something great

[McDunkin]

Look out Big East if he stays 2 years. Him and Steven Adams together would be something great

[McDunkin]

Look out Big East if he stays 2 years. Him and Steven Adams together would be something great

[HitsterParticipant]

As he was older than his class then reclassifying may be a wise move, I’d say he may well be a one and done guy but if he is only around 190lbs then to play NBA frontcourt especially inside as his game requires would probably need him to add maybe 30lbs bulk but he’s got well over 18 months to his first eligible draft.

[HitsterParticipant]

As he was older than his class then reclassifying may be a wise move, I’d say he may well be a one and done guy but if he is only around 190lbs then to play NBA frontcourt especially inside as his game requires would probably need him to add maybe 30lbs bulk but he’s got well over 18 months to his first eligible draft.

[HitsterParticipant]

As he was older than his class then reclassifying may be a wise move, I’d say he may well be a one and done guy but if he is only around 190lbs then to play NBA frontcourt especially inside as his game requires would probably need him to add maybe 30lbs bulk but he’s got well over 18 months to his first eligible draft.

[Providencefriars15Participant]

Does this signing mean the end of dante taylor? The panthers already have robinson who will be a senior and zanna has emerged to be a nice player. Add Berch to that and Taylor becomes nice depth. I bet he’ll transfer. Berch is a big time player who probably has a NBA future.

[Providencefriars15Participant]

Does this signing mean the end of dante taylor? The panthers already have robinson who will be a senior and zanna has emerged to be a nice player. Add Berch to that and Taylor becomes nice depth. I bet he’ll transfer. Berch is a big time player who probably has a NBA future.

[Providencefriars15Participant]

Does this signing mean the end of dante taylor? The panthers already have robinson who will be a senior and zanna has emerged to be a nice player. Add Berch to that and Taylor becomes nice depth. I bet he’ll transfer. Berch is a big time player who probably has a NBA future.

[Author]

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