Virginia Tech Basketball: Hokies Flip Tennessee Commitment Chris Clarke

Breaking News - After discussing with his family, Cape Henry's Chris Clarke (@Chris_Clarkee) has decided to commit to the #Hokies. [cont.].— Matthew Hatfield (@hatfieldsports) November 6, 2014

Virginia Tech basketball flipped an impressive commitment today. Cape Henry Collegiate School's Chris Clarke announced his intention to play for the Hokies and Buzz Williams. Last Thursday, the 6-6 wing originally chose Tennessee over Virginia Tech, defending national champion UConn and Creighton. Ben Frederickson of GoVolsXtra spoke with Chris' father, Curt.

When asked Curt Clarke said his son's de-commitment was unrelated to a Bleacher Report story that Tyndall was linked to possible NCAA rules violations at Southern Miss.

"Prior to last night we and been looking at, 'Hey, is this the right choice?' '' Curt Clarke said. "It came up in a family discussion, his future, his goals. This works better to go that route."

AAU coach Boo Williams on Chris Clarke's flip to #Hokies: "I think he'll go to Tech. I was shocked he committed to Tennessee in 1st place."— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) November 6, 2014

Clarke is rated Virginia's No. 1 player in 2015 by ESPN, Virginia Preps, 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite (aggregate ranking).

Last season at Cape Henry Chris averaged 18.2 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. He averaged 12.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a games for Boo Williams' Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) team this summer.

He also has impeccable tee shirt taste.

Chris Clarke (@Chris_Clarkee) makes his college decision today - our vote for best T-shirt on the summer circuit pic.twitter.com/b4SabbmEdj— NextUpRecruits.com (@NextUpRecruits) October 30, 2014

This is ESPN Insider's scouting report summary of Clarke's game.

Bottom Line: Clarke is a glue guy type of combination forward. He has excellent offensive versatility, can rebound and competes every second he is on the floor. He is a high major prospect that has a blue collar approach to the game and is very productive.

His blue collar playing style was also noted in an article by the Daily Press' David Teel.

A 6-foot-6 rising senior at Virginia Beach's Cape Henry Collegiate, Clarke is a blue-collar forward, not unlike the Boo Williams who played at Phoebus High and Saint Joseph's decades ago. In a survey of more than 100 college coaches, big whistles and assistants, conducted by Scout.com's Evan Daniels, Clarke was voted the most competitive player of July's evaluation period.

"He seemed to be shot out of a cannon compared to the rest of the players," a college coach told Daniels. "I saw him at a 9 a.m. game at Peach Jam, and you could just tell that everyone else was sleepwalking. But it mattered to him. He was a beast. The coaches never had to run one play for him, and he was the best player on the court at both ends."

ESPN Insider and former Wright State coach Paul Biancardi watched Clarke perform at the NBPA top 100 in June.

Clarke owns eye-popping athletic ability. He has speed, vertical and a quick second jump. He fills the lane with speed to beat a defense down the floor and will finish with alley-oop dunks. A great example of his high-level athletic ability is when he caught a pass behind his head on a fast break, gathered himself and scored. On missed shots, he flies to the offensive glass and can make two jumps quicker than most can make one jump. This high-major athlete fills up a stat sheet.

SB Nation's DevonTe Brooks wrote a feature on Clarke as his recruitment began to pick up steam in August. Virginia Tech was one of the first programs to offer Clarke.

Clarke's EYBL teammate Justin Robinson [who committed to Tech on October 12th] thinks he will transition to the college game well.

"He gets the job done and has a motor that can not be stopped," Robinson said. "He can get 20 points and 10 rebounds a game without you knowing. Off the court, he's real chill."

Ethan Walker [assistant coach with Cape Henry Basketball and Boo Williams 16s], who helped coach Clarke this summer, also thinks the forward has a bright future ahead of him.

"What makes Chris special is his energy and work ethic," Walker told SB Nation. "Every rep, every practice, every possession and every game, he brings it. Off the court, he is just a good and humble kid, who has been raised with a hard work ethic installed early by his parents. He understands nothing is guaranteed and has to work for it."

It's been a while, but positive men's basketball things are happening in Blacksburg.