Rebels land four-star guard
Chris Warren was one of the top freshmen in the Southeastern Conference last season.
Ole Miss' sophomore point guard is expected to be one of the leaders of the Rebels' ultra-talented/super young team this season.
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That doesn't intimidate Eric Bledsoe one bit. Instead, the four-star guard from Birmingham (Parker), Ala., plans to push Warren off the point and to the shooting guard slot when he arrives in Oxford.
Bledsoe committed to Ole Miss Tuesday, choosing the Rebels over Alabama, UAB, South Carolina, South Florida and others. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is the second player to commit to the Rebels for the 2009 signing class, joining Memphis, Tenn., four-star forward Reginald Buckner.
"I just liked the school," Bledsoe said Tuesday night. "I just liked Coach (Andy) Kennedy and (assistant coach) T-Ward (Torrey Ward), their program and how they do their point guard. I'm a pass-first point guard. They let their point guard get the ball and play."
Bledsoe said he brings leadership with the basketball when he's on the floor, an asset that will only help an Ole Miss team that has added a plethora of playmakers in the past season.
Specifically, Bledsoe said Ward, a Birmingham native, did the best job recruiting him.
"He did a great job recruiting me," Bledsoe said. "I like his personality. He's good toward my family and stuff. He was great to my mom and my brother. She was excited. She got tired of all the schools calling."
Bledsoe averaged 15 points and 8 assists per game as a junior. He said he needs to work on his mid-range pull-up jump shot as a senior getting ready for life in the Southeastern Conference.
Once he gets to Oxford, Bledsoe plans to chase some big goals.
"I see they're going to be real good," Bledsoe said. "Hopefully, they're going to make the NCAA tournament. My goal is to get my team involved and hopefully win a national championship."