Huggins Announces 2018 Early Signees

On Thursday afternoon and per WVUSports.com, men’s basketball head coach Bob Huggins announced three early signees to the 2018 class: Derek Culver, Jordan McCabe, and Andrew Gordon.

Culver, 6-10, 230-pound forward from Boardman, Ohio, initially committed to the Mountaineers back in August of 2016 before reclassifying for the 2018 class and currently attends Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. As a junior at Warren G. Harding High in Ohio, Culver was named to the All-Ohio Honorable Mention team after averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

“Derek is a big and strong athletic guy who can run and should be exceptional in our Press Virginia defense,” Huggins noted when announcing Culver’s commitment. “He will add much needed rebounding to our team.”

McCabe (Kaukauna, Wisconsin) was the first prospect to commit to the Mountaineers for the 2018 class. The 6-foot, 175-pound point guard is regarded as one of the best players in the entire state of Wisconsin and was named to the First Team All-State team as a sophomore and junior.

“Obviously, Jordan brings a much-needed skill level to our point guard position,” said Huggins. “He is an extremely-skilled passer, ball-handler, and exceptional shooter.”

Gordon flew under the radar during the 2018 recruiting cycle as an uber-athletic 6-10, 235-pound forward from Northwest Florida Community College in Niceville, Florida. West Virginia was Gordon’s only offer after Huggins took a flyer on the high-flying forward this past summer. He is forced to sit out this season at Northwest Florida due to a knee injury.

“Drew’s upside is tremendous. He is a former wide receiver and defensive end who will bring much-needed toughness and athleticism to our program. He is another big man who can really run the floor and will fit in well with our Press Virginia defense,” Huggins commented.

Trey Doomes (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is expected to sign his National Letter of Intent Friday and become the fourth piece to the Mountaineers 2018 recruiting class. Doomes is an elite finisher and slasher who committed to West Virginia early last month. The 6-3, 185-pound guard averaged 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists this past summer for AAU program Team Florida during the Nike EBYL circuit.