Sidney to take in UVa

Since coming to Charlottesville three years ago, Virginia coach Dave Leitao has been able to recruit a stable of three- and four-star prospects to his program.

This year, he even brought in his first McDonald’s All-American — Sylven Landesberg, a four-star recruit from New York City.

But when it has come to landing the big enchilada — a five-star recruit such as former targets Patrick Patterson (Kentucky), Ed Davis (North Carolina) or Elliott Williams (Duke) — Leitao has come up just short.

Leitao is hoping that’s about to change.

Ditto for Virginia basketball fans.

In attendance at this afternoon’s season-opening game versus VMI will be Renardo Sidney, a five-star recruit through and through.

Bob Gibbons, one of the most respected college recruiting analysts, calls the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Sidney, out of Fairfax High in Los Angeles, a “program changer.” He believes you can talk about Sidney in the same breath as Michael Beasley, the former Kansas State big man who was selected with the second pick in last spring’s NBA draft by the Miami Heat.

“He’s got the ability to be the No. 1 player in the class,” Gibbons said. “He just has unlimited potential. He’s got size, skill, strength, athleticism. He can shoot it from all ranges and is just an overpowering athlete in the post.

“The question would be, if they were to get him, how long would he stay? It’s likely that he’s one of those kids that has the NBA in his mind.”

Leitao and staff seem to have no problem with Sidney being a “one-and-done” player.

Sources have told The Daily Progress that there is a chance that Sidney, who is also considering Mississippi State, LSU, USC and UCLA, could commit to Virginia during his visit.

“I’ve felt all along that he was someone who would likely wait until spring to make his decision,” Gibbons said, “but the fact that he’s coming and his parents are coming with him certainly is a good sign.

“Now we just have to wait and see.”

If Sidney signs with Virginia, he would join point guard Jontel “Bub” Evans and forward Tristan Spurlock in what would have to be considered Leitao’s best recruiting class, at least on paper, to date.

“They’re good players,” said Gibbons, when asked about Evans and Spurlock, “but this kid is a program turner.

“It would be a great catch for coach Leitao and the Cavs if they could get him.”