Ben Kone, 3-star PF/C, reviews Oregon State Beavers visit, places program in top 3

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Ben Kone poses with Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle during his unofficial visit to Corvallis

(Courtesy of Ben Kone)

ESPN/Scout three-star post Ben Kone arrived in Corvallis on Sunday empty-handed, hoping to snag his second Pac-12 offer.

Not only did the 6-foot-9, 240-pound prospect, out of Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose, California), pick up an Oregon State Beavers offer Tuesday afternoon, but he also ended his visit believing he may have found his future home.

"They are definitely high up. Oregon State is somewhere I can see myself in the future," Kone explained. "I think, as a young man, I like the family environment they're trying to produce at the school and the overall culture they are trying to instill."

Kone, who also holds offers from Cal, New Mexico, New Mexico State and San Diego State, said the visit catapulted Oregon State into his top three.

"I can definitely tell you that Cal and San Diego State are in that top three, and I'd say Oregon State," he said. "Cal, San Diego State and Oregon State are all up there right now."

During his trip, the California product ate a few meals with the coaches and was able to play some pick-up basketball with some of the current players, but it was his bond with the coaching staff that solidified his belief that the Beavers belonged in his top collection of programs.

"I loved the coaches. I really do love the coaches. I can tell they want to win just as badly as I do. Not just winning, but they want to win the right way," Kone said. "As a young man, that's something I find important, and they find equally important. Being able to share that bond was my biggest takeaway from this visit."

The California big man would be a huge get for the Oregon State program, as he was named the Mercury News boys basketball player of the year last season, averaging 20.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field. During a late season stretch that led to a double-overtime loss in the Division II state title game, Kone average 25 points and 18.7 rebounds, securing his place among the top players in his state.

Despite a profile that continues to rise, and could easily lead to a fourth star in the near future, Kone insists he wants to get the recruiting process over with quickly.

"I want to commit earlier in my senior year, so I can be locked in," he said. "Oregon State is definitely a possibility of someplace I could see myself at in the future."

-- Andrew Nemec
anemec@oregonian.com
@AndrewNemec

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