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Georgia Tech lands top point guard Poole

Brian Gregory

Georgia Tech head coach Brian Gregory yells to his players from the sideline during first half action in an NCAA college basketball game against Wake Forest Saturday, March 3, 2012 (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

AP

Brian Gregory did a great job in landing Kentucky transfer Stacey Poole. Poole was lost in the shuffle as a Wildcat, and has a chance to shine as a Yellow Jacket. Perhaps even more importantly, Poole’s family ties worked in Gregory’s favor this weekend, as Stacey’s younger brother Solomon Poole chose to attend the Atlanta-based ACC school as well.

The younger Poole is a top-15 player and a highly-rated point guard from Jacksonville, Florida. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was very tempted by an offer from UCLA, but eventually, it was his family ties and the chance to play in the ACC that won him over.

Poole also has a knowledge of basketball history, which was fortunate for Gregory and the Yellow Jackets. Solomon is aware that Georgia Tech was once a factory for NBA-bound point guards.

“The program has a tradition of point guards going into the league, guys like Stephon Marbury and Mark Price,” Poole told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“[Coach Brian Gregory] was real with me. He only told me what I needed to hear. He didn’t give me a bunch of hype and tell me I was great just to get me to go to the program. I get along with all the coaches well there at Georgia Tech. And it’s a solid educational school, one of the best in the country.”

Tech has seen talented players come and go over the past couple of decades. Even during the rougher spots of Paul Hewitt’s tenure, sought-after players continued to show up on campus. Now Gregory must prove that he can develop raw talent and create a coherent team concept that wins games. The Poole brothers could get him off to a great start.

Eric Angevine is editor of Storming the Floor. He tweets @stfhoops.