Why did 4-star Lathan Sommerville pick Rutgers basketball this week?

Lathan Sommerville believes in the direction of Rutgers basketball.

Lathan Sommerville made it official this week, turning his commitment into a signed letter of intent to play for Rutgers basketball. The four-star forward is certainly a building block piece for the Scarlet Knights and head coach Steve Pikiell.

He is part of a Rutgers basketball recruiting class that is the best in program history.

Sommerville was a national recruit and a big get for Rutgers at a position of need. He was ranked as a four-star recruit and ranked No. 120 nationally in the 247Sports Composite.

In May, Sommerville announced a top seven that included Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Bradley, Xavier, Missouri and Virginia Tech as in addition to Rutgers. His offer list also included the likes of Bradley, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Xavier.

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“I picked Rutgers because it’s a great program with a coaching staff and supporters,” Sommerville told Rutgers Wire this week.

“I also fit their system offensively and defensively. That’s where I feel I will progress the most.”

Sommerville is one of four recruits who signed with Rutgers over the past week. On Saturday, five-star forward [autotag]Airious Bailey[/autotag]. Also part of this class are [autotag]Dylan Grant[/autotag] (a four-star guard) and three-star forward [autotag]Bryce Dortch[/autotag].

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ESPN ranks this class as having three signed players who are four-star recruits. This could be a program-defining class for Rutgers.

“I feel like we are really versatile and skilled. I also feel like we have a lot of potential and a lot to prove,” Sommerville said.

“We’re getting closer and closer as the time goes on.”