Derek Culver was going to be a Mountaineer, no matter what. The standout hoops star from Warren, Ohio had his sights set on West Virginia and the WVU basketball team, in turn, had its sights set on Culver.
WVU head coach Bob Huggins got his main man by landing Culver earlier this week. The power forward from Ohio Division I Warren Harding High School is a major playmaker in a tough prep division, so that experience will help him at the collegiate level.
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Culver was regarded as a four-star prospect by many national recruiting sites. He’s been on the radar by many colleges for the past three seasons, ever since he stepped onto the varsity scene as a freshman at Warren Harding. Since then, he has been on the fast track to becoming a Mountaineer. Huggins was there from the very beginning and that played a huge role in Culver’s decision making.
The loyalty, dedication and persistence by Huggins is what originally drew Culver’s interest to WVU, which is located less than three hours from his hometown in Northeast Ohio. It was the pride, passion and program that allowed Culver to truly become a Mountaineer.
With his senior year still ahead of him, Culver has this moment lifted off his shoulders so he can focus on leading Warren Harding to an elusive trip to Columbus for the OHSAA Basketball Final Four in March.
"“It was the intensity of the recruitment from West Virginia, the relationship with (Huggins),” Harding head coach Andy Vlajkovich told ESPN. “He was a priority for Huggs and the staff from West Virginia did a really good job. They stood out, they came in first and they came the hardest.”"
This is the second time in three years that Huggins was able to attract one of the top talents from the Buckeye State to come to the Mountaineers. Last season, Esa Ahmad arrived on campus and started right away for the WVU basketball team in a forward position.
When Ahmad is a senor, Culver will be a freshman. He, too, will likely see early playing time with the Mountaineers. He already has the physical makeup of a Division I player, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing just over 200 pounds. Adding muscle to his lanky frame will make him a force inside.
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Right now, Culver has a knack for getting rebounds and securing points inside the paint, a patent for success in Huggins’ system. Especially as a big guy, like Devin Williams, Culver will be expected to clean up his own misfires, as well as anything put up by his teammates.
Despite still being a teenager, Culver comes off wise beyond his years. He spoke rigidly and truthfully at his verbal commitment press conference. One of his quotes shows the true mark of a top-rated recruit, while also showing the brutal honesty of Huggins.
After all, it was the entire persona of the legendary Huggins which originally attracted Culver to WVU, instead of Xavier, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana and Arizona, where he was also drawing immense interest.
"“I don’t need a coach that tells me what I want to hear,” Culver told the Youngstown Vindicator. “I need one that’s going to tell me like it is.”"
West Virginia fans should be happy for this young man. Mountaineer Nation should also anticipate the next time Huggins will delve into the talent-rich sate of Ohio. It’s bound to happen because the floodgates have already opened.
The good public relations Huggins and the Mountaineers are starting to develop in Ohio will continue to pay off over the next several recruiting cycles.