Louisiana recruit gives verbal agreement to IU

Donald Perry, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Louisiana, verbally committed to IU Tuesday and said he will sign a letter of intent on the early decision date Nov. 8. Perry, a senior at Reuben McCall High School in Tallulah, La., averaged 25.5 points and eight assists last season. He shot 45 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the free-throw line.\nInterim head coach Mike Davis is known for recruiting strong players, and his southern roots helped bring players such as George Leach, Jeffrey Newton and A.J. Moye to former coach Bob Knight's program.\nBut now Davis is working to build his own program. And although there is no guarantee the players he recruits this year will play for him next year, Davis has filled the last two open recruiting spots (if no current players transfer) with Perry and Huntington North forward Sean Kline. \n"Just playing for Indiana is more important than playing for a coach," Perry said. "That doesn't scare me because even if (Davis) isn't there, I want to play. Coaches change everywhere you go. You never know what can happen."\nPerry, 16, took an unofficial visit to IU Friday and decided on his way home he would commit to Davis' program. When he got home, Perry called St. Louis, which also expressed interest, and canceled his recruiting trip there. Perry had also visited Tulane, which is about three and a half hours from his home, but he said Davis' honesty with him was a major factor in his decision.\n"He's a real down-to-earth guy," Perry said. "He won't tell a lie to get you to come to school. Most coaches will tell you anything."\nThe Hoosiers are looking for someone to replace Michael Lewis, who graduated last year as the school's all-time assist leader. Perry has qualified to play as a freshman because he scored 21 on the American College Test and earned a 3.5 grade-point average. \nMitchell Riggs, basketball coach at Reuben McCall, said Perry has the ability to fill whatever role Davis will need him in.\n"I have all the confidence in the world in the kid," Riggs said. "He has a bundle of ability. As a freshman, he went from scoring 13 points a game to scoring 20 his sophomore year. He's been like an elevator, climbing and climbing and the best in him is yet to come"