W. Rowan's Sherrill commits to Niners

The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team received a commitment from West Rowan’s K.J. Sherrill, ranked among the top high school seniors in North Carolina.

Sherrill, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward who averaged more than 19 points a game last season, picked the 49ers over Auburn, UNC Wilmington, East Carolina and Winthrop, his high school coach, Mike Gurley, said Friday. Sherrill made an unofficial visit to the Charlotte campus on Aug. 25.

“It came down to the fact that right in his backyard K.J. had a great university and a super basketball coach in Bobby Lutz who runs a great program,” said Gurley.

“While he was looking at other schools, I think K.J.’s approach was more of a ‘How do they compare to Charlotte?’-type process because he just wanted to make sure it was the right decision.”

Gurley said Sherrill plans to sign a letter of intent during the early signing period in November and also expects to make several appearances during the season to watch 49ers games.

“Coach Lutz likes players who can score the ball,” Gurley said. “K.J. is athletic and bouncy and he’s very aggressive and can score the ball. I think he will be a great compliment to their program.”

Sherrill was named second-team All-Observer as a junior and first-team all-Piedmont. He was recently named by basketball recruiting analyst David Telep as a “breakout player.” He is a cousin of Scooter Sherrill, a former West Rowan star who played college basketball at N.C. State.

Charlotte has one scholarship remaining for its 2009-10 class with Chris Braswell, a 6-8, 215-pound forward from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., the 49ers’ top target. Braswell is ranked the 78th best player in the country among high school seniors and the 22nd-best power forward by recruiting Web site Rivals.com.