Behanan, Blackshear, Price add up to a bonanza for Louisville basketball

First, second, or third-ranked recruiting class? Check back in four years.

For most teams.

Three in the fold, at least one more to go, maybe Thursday, and University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is one happy man.

• “This is one of the better recruiting classes we have had in quite some time,” said Pitino.  “All of the players in this class will make major strides.  They’re already great high school players, but they have tremendous upside to get better physically, mentally and with their skills on the court.”

Chane Behanan, a 6-7, 250-pound forward from Bowling Green (Ky.) High School; Wayne Blackshear, a 6-5, 205-pound guard from Morgan Park High School in Chicago; Mass.; and Zach Price, a 6-10, 230-pound center from Jeffersontown High School signed Wednesday.

Behanan — Averaged 21.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game as a junior at Bowling Green last year, a season in which he recorded nine triple-doubles and dished out 14 assists in one contest.

• “Chane reminds me so much of Rodney McCray,” said Pitino.  “He has good size, is a great leaper and ball handler and is tough.  He’s just an extraordinary basketball player with great skills.  The sky’s the limit for his potential.  He’ll get better and better as he faces Big East competition.”

Blackshear — Averaged 29.2 points and 14.2 rebounds as a junior to lead Morgan Park to the 2010 Chicago Public League title. Blackshear’s score with 13.4 seconds left was the game-winner in the Mustangs’ 61-60 victory over Marshall in the championship game of the tournament.

• “Wayne has the potential to be as good of a basketball player as I’ve recruited since I’ve been in this game,” said Pitino.  “He has the size, desire and the ability to not only play his position well, but do it at the national level against anyone.  I watched him in the city championship draw a charge, score the winning bucket and with little time left block the shot with the game on the line.  He has extraordinary length and toughness and he makes big plays.”

Price — Averaged 9.1 points per game as a junior, capping off his season with a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) in St. Edward’s tight 61-57 loss to Mentor in the regional finals of the 2010 Ohio High School Boys Basketball State Championship.

• “Everything lies ahead for Zach,” said Pitino.  “He has good size, a soft touch and good hands.  He’s a left-handed big man, which can be difficult to defend.  He’s a bright basketball player with great upside.  His biggest adjustment will be in conditioning, as it is for most high school players when moving forward.”