MORGANTOWN — Coaches of the West Virginia men’s basketball team have obviously taken notice of Fairmont Senior’s boys’ basketball program.
Polar Bears forward Jalen Bridges, a rising senior, was offered a scholarship by the Mountaineers late Monday.
At 6-foot-7, Bridges averaged 17 points and two blocked shots per game last season, helping the Polar Bears reach the Class AA state finals for the fifth time in six years.
Bridges tweeted late Monday, “Beyond blessed to announce that I have received an offer from West Virginia University.”
It is Bridges 21st scholarship offer, but just his second from a school in a Power 5 Conference — Penn State offered Bridges a scholarship in June.
West Virginia coaches have already taken a liking to the Polar Bears. Last season’s state player of the year — Taevon Horton of Fairmont Senior — is an invited walk-on with the Mountaineers this season.
Bridges announced earlier this month that he would enroll in a prep school following this season, meaning he doesn’t plan on enrolling in college until 2020.
Story by Joe Brocato