J.R. Reynolds

J.R. Reynolds, a 6-3, 190-pound combo guard from Roanoke Catholic High School has announced his decision to play for the University of Virginia.

Reynolds was originally scheduled to make his announcement at a press conference in early September, but the tragic events of September 11th caused him to postpone his announcement for a later date.

While it was known by many that Reynolds would commit to UVa, there was much speculation that he was reconsidering his decision and that the prolonged announcement was bad news for the Cavaliers.

Reynolds put that speculation to rest earlier tonight when he held a press conference to announce his commitment to UVa.

"I am happy to announce I have accepted a scholarship to the University of Virginia," Reynolds said. "They're a family.  They play team ball, which is something I like. The coaching staff is really good, and they play my kind of ball."

Reynolds' commitment is important since Roger Mason will be graduating next season and the need for a combo guard is essential, especially one with the shooting touch of Reynolds.

"He's not a Keith Friel type shooter, but he is a Roger Mason type shooter, [which is to say] he's a pretty good shooter," Roanoke Catholic Coach Dick Wall said. "His range and his shooting percentage have improved dramatically over the last two years. That was most evident this summer at the Nike All-American Camp. His most compelling quality as a player is that he makes everyone around him better. In addition to that, he's capable of taking over a game himself. He can lead a team at the point, or he can play two-guard and provide scoring."

Reynolds, still only a junior in high school, is the first commitment for the 2003 recruiting class, which originally had three openings until the recent departure of Maurice Young. It is not decided whether that spot will be filled this year or next. As of now, Derrick Byars is the lone recruit in for the 2002 class. If Virginia waits until next year to fill that open scholarship, they'll have four to work with for Reynolds' class, which includes highly-targeted recruits Omari Isreal and Marcus Sikes.