In April, Georgetown fans were dismayed to see a “UK” logo, standing for the University of Kentucky, in the back of coveted recruit Nerlens Noel’s flattop haircut.
Devonta Pollard’s announcement on Friday was more traditional, but the Crimson Tide hat he donned marked the second time in three months that the Hoyas have been spurned by one of the nation’s top prospects.
Amid the doom and gloom of Noel’s decision, the Hoya faithful had pinned their hopes on Pollard — a 6-foot-7 McDonald’s All-American who played small forward in high school — especially after he visited Georgetown on April 14.
But Robert Kirby, the former Georgetown assistant who was leading his recruitment, left John Thompson III’s staff to take the same position at LSU under new head coach Johnny Jones soon after the visit.
In what had to be an inauspicious sign, Pollard added LSU to the list of schools he was considering after Kirby headed to Baton Rouge.
In the end, though, it wasn’t Kirby’s but Anthony Grant’s — who is entering his fourth year as Alabama head coach and secured a top commitment last year in Trevor Lacey — recruiting prowess which swayed Pollard.
“To me, I felt more comfortable at Alabama, and I have made a stronger bond with the coaches at Alabama,” the high school senior told The Birmingham News.
Pollard’s decision leaves Georgetown with three recruits in the class of 2012. The best of the additions appears to be D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a prized 6-foot-3 shooting guard out of the acclaimed Oak Hill Academy.
Joining Smith-Rivera will be 6-foot-11 center Bradley Hayes and 6-foot-8 power forward Brandon Bolden.