After taking an official visit to Austin this past weekend, 2012 combo guard DeMarcus Holland (Garland Naaman Forest) has committed to the Texas Longhorns, per his AAU Coach Lawrence Mann. Holland joins a signed class of Prince Ibeh, Connor Lammert, Javan Felix, and Ioannis Papapetrou. Texas also has a commitment from five-star center Cameron Ridley, the centerpiece of the 2012 class. Both Ridley and Holland are expected to sign in the Late Signing Period, starting April 11.
Holland is ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals and Scout, and a two-star prospect by ESPN. Holland had previously been committed to the South Florida Bulls, but decommitted in late February after receiving interest from the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns recently lost All-Conference shooting guard J'Covan Brown as an NBA Draft early entrant, and felt the need to add an additional player to its backcourt. Next year, Holland will join sophomore returnees Myck Kabongo, Julien Lewis, Sheldon McClellan, and Sterling Gibbs. Holland will compete for a backup role with Kabongo and Lewis expected to start at point guard and shooting guard, respectively.
This year, Holland and high school teammate Ibeh led Naaman Forest to a 29-8 overall record, 13-1 in District 10-5A play. Naaman Forest made it to the state semifinals before losing to eventual champion Flower Mound Marcus. Next year, Holland and Ibeh will remain teammates, playing for the Longhorns and head coach Rick Barnes.
The Longhorns have one more available scholarship for the 2012-13 team, and the staff is targeting five-star small forward Devonta Pollard, from Kemper County, Mississippi. Pollard is considering Texas as well as Alabama, Georgetown, and Missouri. He is expected to make a decision in late April. The Longhorns may also express interest in Tulsa shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, who has been considering a transfer after head coach Dave Wojcik was fired after seven seasons. Clarkson has not formally applied for a transfer, and consequently, Texas cannot formally contact Clarkson about playing for Texas next year.
For more news and information on Texas Longhorns basketball, check out SBNation blogs Barking Carnival and Burnt Orange Nation.