Georgia State basketball opened practice last week and received another verbal commit from a top level talent.  First reported by On The Radar Hoops, Buford HS power forward TJ Shipes gave his pledge to the Panthers coaching staff yesterday afternoon.

Shipes is a 6'8, 220lbs athletic low post presence with very good touch around the basket.  He can run the floor well and looks to be a very good fit in head coach Ron Hunter's fast pace, break neck speed offense.  TJ uses his body well around the basket and is an improving defender.  He use position well and plays very long on defense utilizing his long arms and strong hands.

TJ chose Georgia State over from Utah, Tennessee, Northwestern, Charlotte, UAB and CAA conference foe Old Dominion.

Highlights:

Shipes joins Pike HS (IN) wing RJ Hunter, La Costa Canyon HS (CA) point guard David Travers and Brevard CC shooting guard Cameron Solomon as the early commitments of the 2012 basketball recruiting class.