April 25, 2007
Darshawn McClellan has signed a national letter of intent to attend Vanderbilt and play basketball for the Commodores beginning in the fall head coach Kevin Stallings announced on Wednesday.
A 6-6, 210-pound forward, McClellan earned Metro Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player accolades while averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds as a senior at Edison High School in Fresno, Calif.
McClellan helped lead the Tigers to a 25-6 overall record and the 2007 Central Section Division II Championship. He received the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award after posting 27 points, 12 rebounds and three steals in the title contest.
Named Division II All-State by CalHiSports.com and a First Team All-Star by the Fresno Bee, McClellan ranks as one of the all-time leading scorers in Edison history and won an AAU national tournament championship in 2006 as a member of the Elite Basketball Organization.
“Darshawn’s physicality will remind our fans a lot of former Commodore Corey Smith,” Stallings said. “He is very powerfully built and can play either forward position. He handles the ball well, can pass and defend and possesses great instincts for the game.”
McClellan becomes the fourth member of Vanderbilt’s 2007 recruiting class. The Commodores signed center A.J. Ogilvy of Australia, guard Keegan Bell of Hazel Green, Ala., and forward Andre Walker of Flossmoor, Ill., during the fall signing period.
“We still could add another player to this class, but I’m really pleased with the group we have assembled to this point,” Stallings said. “All four guys we are bringing into our program are team-oriented, quality individuals. Each player will have the chance to make significant contributions to our team.”
The spring signing period for men’s basketball concludes May 16.