Florida forward commits to Temple basketball

Temple's basketball program has received a verbal commitment for the Class of 2010 from Anthony Lee, a 6-9 power forward from Orlando, Fla.

Last season he averaged 14.8 points and 13.8 rebounds for Eustis High School. The son of a pastor, he has transferred to West Oaks Academy in Orlando for his senior season.

"We are very ecstatic, and feel very honored for him to be going to Temple," said his father, Anthony. "Coach [Fran] Dunphy has the ability to get the most out of his players. And he has a strong record of doing a lot of good charitable work in the Philadelphia area. Anthony's very involved with a lot of off-court community events, so that's important. He wants to get an education, improve as a basketball player and become a role model."

Several recruiting sources believe that Lee is the best big man the Owls have landed since Pennsbury's Lavoy Allen came to North Broad Street 3 years ago.

"He's flown under the radar a little bit," said Al Rubin, who works for "Hoop Scoop." "He's a true inside-out player."

Lee had drawn interest from a bunch of BCS programs, and had received scholarship offers from, among others, Seton Hall and Southern Cal. He gave Temple his word on Friday, during his official visit.

Dunphy isn't allowed to comment until Lee officially signs. The Owls, the two-time defending Atlantic 10 champion, have one scholarship left for 2010. It is believed they would like to get a lead guard, and Neumann-Goretti's Tyreek Duren is supposedly near or at the top of their list.