Tweet

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams has announced the signings of Kerry Blackshear Jr., Chris Clarke and Justin Robinson to National Letters of Intent. This signing class will enroll at Virginia Tech in the fall of 2015.

This fall’s recruiting class is ranked as high as No. 17 nationally by national recruiting services. Along with last spring’s recruiting class that was ranked No. 19 nationally by ESPN.com, this gives the Hokies’ their first-ever back-to-back top 20 recruiting classes, both coming in the nine months since Williams was hired at Virginia Tech.

“I am really excited about this signing class,” Williams said. “These are three guys that we can build around. I think we addressed some needs and some depth issues with these players. I think today will pay dividends for years to come.”

Blackshear Jr., is a 6-9, 230 lbs. forward from Orlando, Florida, who plays scholastically at Maynard Evans High School. Blackshear Jr., is ranked No. 74 nationally by 247Sports.com, and No. 93 overall by Scout.com. He is ranked the No. 20 power forward nationally by 247Sports.com and No. 27 by ESPN.com. ESPN.com and 247Sports.com each have Blackshear Jr., as a four-star recruit. He played for the Q6 All-Star AAU team during the summer. He averaged 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season at Evans High School and helped lead his team to the state championship game.

“I think Kerry has a very high ceiling and is extremely skilled for his age,” Williams said. “He is a true combo forward; he can shoot it out to the three and is a great passer. He has guard-like feet and can guard the ball screen however you want. I think he is a guy who can have a distinct role early in his career..”

Robinson is a 6-1, 170 lbs. point guard from Manassas, Virginia. He plays at St. James School in St. James, Maryland, after playing his sophomore year at Montrose Christian School. Robinson is a three or four-star recruit by major recruiting services. Robinson is ranked as the No. 85 overall player and No. 11 point guard in the nation by Scout.com. He is ranked as the No. 2 recruit in Maryland, the No. 22 point guard nationally and the No. 124 overall recruit nationally by 247Sports.com. ESPN.com ranks him as the No. 36 point guard in the nation. Robinson was invited to both the CP3 and Ty Lawson camps. He averaged 12.7 points and 6.0 assists per game last season at St. James.

“Justin Robinson is something that there aren’t a lot of these days; a true, left-handed point guard,” Williams said. “He plays the game well, both mentally and physically. He is very bright and plays at a very high level. He has great court awareness and vision.”

Clarke is a 6-6, 185 lbs. wing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he plays at Cape Henry Collegiate School. All major recruiting services have him ranked as a four-star recruit and as the top player in the state of Virginia. He is ranked No. 40 by 247Sports.com and No. 58 nationally by Rivals.com. ESPN.com ranks him as the No. 10 small forward in the country, and 247Sports.com ranks him as the No. 9 shooting guard nationally. He averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists per game as a junior at Cape Henry. Clarke and Robinson were teammates on the Boo Williams Summer League All-Star AAU team this past summer.

“Chris Clarke has a motor that just does not stop,” Williams said. “He is very hard to guard and can tilt the court downhill as quick as any wing in the country. I love his energy, his toughness and his competitive nature. He can play anywhere on the floor and is a great fit for our program.”

For updates on Virginia Tech men's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_MBBall