A bit more on Bell
Back with a slightly expanded article on Gary Bell Jr., who committed to Gonzaga on Monday. I wasn't able to get in touch with Gary or his prep coach. If that changes, I'll post their thoughts tomorrow.
Meanwhile, read on for the unedited article that will run in Tuesday's S-R.
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com; (208) 765-7131 Gary Bell Jr., regarded as one of the top players in the 2011 class, has verbally committed to the Gonzaga men’s basketball program, his father confirmed Monday night. “He liked the family atmosphere, the players, the coaches. They definitely made him feel real welcome,” Gary Bell Sr. said. “It’s just a good family atmosphere and it’s a winning program. Everybody embraced him. As soon as he left from shaking Coach (Mark) Few’s hand and went to the hotel, he said, ‘I’m ready.’ “I told him, ‘OK son, sleep on it.’ Today he came in and said, ‘I think I want to commit.’ I told him I was 100 percent behind him.” “He was getting tired of everybody calling and trying to figure out what he wanted to do. It just felt right and everything fell into place,” Bell Sr. said. “We’re all excited. It’s definitely a good day for Gonzaga and a good day for Gary Bell Jr.” Attempts to contact Bell Jr. were unsuccessful. His father said he was practicing with his AAU team Monday night.