5/18/2017 basketball Edit

Bamba picks Texas: UK misses out on elite big

Justin Rowland • CatsIllustrated

Publisher

Justin Rowland has been CatsIllustrated.com's publisher since 2015. He covered college football recruiting at programs nationwide for 15 years prior to that.

Mo Bamba has always been said to be different, and someone who will handle his recruitment differently.

On Thursday, the five-star big man made a surprise decision.

It wasn't planned. It wasn't anticipated.

We knew it was coming sooner rather than later because it's just that time of year, and time's running out.

Bamba committed to Texas on Thursday morning.

He made his choice writing in The Players' Tribute.

Bamba cited Shaka Smart, the Texas strength and conditioning program, strides made by Jarrett Allen, the weather and factors "beyond basketball" as reasons for his choice of the Longhorns.