National signing day notes: Lorain's Seth Wilson gets chance to make dreams come true

After his sophomore season at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Lorain native Seth Wilson made an oral commitment to play college basketball for Bob Huggins at West Virginia University. Wednesday, on national signing day, Wilson made it official. The senior, who transferred home to Lorain prior to last season, said he chose the Mountaineers because he has always wanted to play for Huggins. "It's an amazing feeling to finally have it become official," Wilson said. "Playing for Coach Huggins has always been a dream of mine ever since I was little. Signing that national letter of intent has always been a dream of mine, as well. For this to finally come true is, honestly, a surreal feeling." Wilson is West Virginia's first recruit this signing period. "Seth is an outstanding shooter who comes from a high school with great basketball tradition that has produced many high-level Division I players," Huggins said in a news release. "He gives us great versatility and can play point guard or move to the wing with his shooting ability. Seth will be a great asset to our backcourt." The 6-foot-3 combo guard averaged 13 points and seven rebounds for the Titans last season, leading them to a district title. He said he has many people to thank, especially his parents, Donovan and Angela Wilson. "I'm so appreciative," Wilson said. "First I want to give honor to God because without Him it wouldn't be possible. My family has always been there and have always pushed me to be great and have supported me in everything I do. "This is kind of a repayment for them, that I'm going to school for free." Even though Wilson orally committed last season, Lorain coach John Rositano said it was nice to see things finally official. "Anything can happen, and until he signed on the dotted line you always have that doubt," Rositano said. "Seth put himself in a great position early on. He's a gym rat, he loves the game and everything he gets basketball-wise is well-deserved because he's put the time in. "He loves the game, he never stops working at it and his family has done a great job with keeping him involved in the game. "When you have some talent and you put in the time he has, his reward is going to a Big 12 school." The Mountaineers will be loaded with young talent. Miles McBride, who was a freshman last season, averaged 9.5 points per game. Freshman center Oscar Tshiebwe led West Virginia with 11.2 points and 9.5 rebounds a year ago. Provided they don't opt for the NBA Draft after this season, Wilson will be surrounded by good players. "To go in with that kind of talent, with those guys, is amazing," he said. "I can't wait to do it. During my unofficial visit they made me really feel at home and made me feel like they really wanted me to be there and to be a part of what they're building." McBride and Wilson squared off in the state championship two seasons ago when Wilson was at St. Vincent-St. Mary and McBride was at Cincinnati Moeller. Donovan Wilson is pleased his son's hard work is paying off. "I feel extremely blessed and I'm so happy for him," he said. "People just don't know the many hours that he puts in after practice, before practice, no days off. I feel so ecstatic for him and he definitely deserves it. "Coach Huggins, the staff and the players really wanted him and feel like he'll come in and contribute. We're ecstatic, we look forward to his senior year and then we'll go on to the next chapter." Contact Mike Perry at 329-7135 or macsportstalk@gmail.com.