Sep 21, 2008 9:12 PM JoeWladislaw

Xavier adds recruit for 2009
By Dustin Dow ? ddow@enquirer.com ? September 14, 2008

Xavier bolstered its 2009 men's basketball recruiting effort Saturday by securing an oral commitment from one of its main targets, Kevin Parrom.

Parrom, a 6-foot-6 small forward originally from Bronx, N.Y., told Xavier's coaching staff that he would accept a scholarship offer from Xavier, which now has one scholarship left to give for the 2009 class. Saturday's commitment came during Parrom's official campus visit to Xavier, which prompted his announcement. He had made up his mind among Xavier, St. John's and several other schools, including Marquette, South Carolina and Pittsburgh, a couple weeks ago. Parrom had even told the Xavier coaches he probably would choose XU.

"I wanted to make it official when I was on my visit," Parrom said. "Xavier wins, and that's what I like about it here."

Before Parrom committed, Xavier had not received an oral commitment from a 2009 recruit. Instead, XU opted to use several of its open scholarships on the 2008 class, which includes Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford, who won't be eligible until 2009, unless the NCAA allows current Indiana transfers to play this upcoming season because of hardship associated with former IU coach Kelvin Sampson's departure.

With only two scholarships to give for 2009, Xavier heavily targeted two small forwards, Parrom and Ari Stewart, who recently visited Xavier without offering a commitment.

"That didn't really matter to me because I knew I was going to commit to Xavier anyway," Parrom said. "Staying in New York City would have been good, but I felt like I needed to get away and go to where a team is already winning, where I can build off that."

Xavier assistant coach Emanuel Richardson, a former summer basketball coach in the New York City area, has a well-established relationship with Parrom.

In May, Parrom was arrested after being involved in physical altercation with his coach at St. Raymond High School in the Bronx, where Parrom averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds. The New York Daily News reported Parrom punched coach Oliver Antigua, prompting a 911 call.

"It was something that happened, and it could have been avoided," Parrom said Saturday. "It was a crazy moment and totally out of character for me. I've never done anything like that before. And I've moved on since then."

Parrom later transferred to South Kent (Conn.) School, a preparatory school where he is beginning his senior year.