Bennett gets verbal commitment from 4-star recruit

Who says these are the dog days of summer? They certainly aren’t for the Virginia men’s basketball coaching staff.

On Wednesday, the staff received a verbal commitment from rising high school senior K.T. Harrell.

Harrell, a 6-4, 205-pound shooting guard from Brewbaker Tech Magnet in Alabama, is the second prep player to commit to Virginia in the last three days.

On Monday, Bennett and staff received a verbal from Joe Harris, a 6-foot-5 wing player from Chelan, Wash.

Harrell, who chose Virginia over Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi State, is the highest rated recruit that UVa has landed. According to Rivals.com, Harrell is a 4-star prospect, while Harris and Regan are rated as 3-stars.

Harrell and Harris join forward Will Regan as members of Bennett’s inaugural 2010 recruiting class.

Harrell and Harris should be able to complement each other. Harris, who is a little bigger than Harrell, can play some at the “3,” while Harrell is more of a “2.”

With the departure of big man John Brandenburg last month, Bennett still has two scholarships at his disposal. According to sources, the staff is focused on bringing in a combo guard and another big man.

Guard options include Trae Golden of Powder Springs, Ga. and Kyrie Irving of Elizabeth, N.J. Big men targets are James Johnson from San Diego and Michael Cobbins from Amarillo, Texas . Derrick Williams, a power forward from Jersey City, N.J., could be another option.