Aaric Murray thinks so.

With Indiana, Marquette and others interested in him, the Glen Mills senior could have chosen one of the nation's premier basketball programs.

But Murray decided to stay home and play in the Atlantic Ten Conference. On Monday night, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center made an oral commitment to play at La Salle University.

"He thought it out," Glen Mills coach Craig Mellinger said. "He realized more and more that he wanted to stay home.

"And in the end, he just said that he is really, really comfortable with every aspect of La Salle."

Blessed with soft hands and a solid frame, Murray would have been a great addition to just about any team.

The 18-year-old is regarded as the nation's sixth-best center and 33d overall prospect in the Class of 2009 by ESPN Insider. Rivals.com (35th) and Scout.com (38th) also list him among the nation's top 40 seniors. Not bad, considering he has played organized basketball for only 21 months.

The Inquirer's all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots last season.

"He's still raw, still learning the game," said Bob Gibbons, editor and publisher of All-Star Report Publications. "But in the games that I've seen him play, he's a big, physical guy. He backs down from no one."

Even though he was being recruited nationally, he never wavered in his preference to attend a Philadelphia school.

"I told him that 'I'm really happy for you,' " Mellinger said, " 'because you are happy with the decision.' "

- Keith Pompey