Chat with Julian Harrell, Penn hoops commit [UPDATED]

• TWEET
• SHARE
• SHARE

Update: Check out the full story that appeared in Wednesday's issue of the DP.

I got a chance to speak with both Julian Harrell and his AAU coach Gary Franklin about the 6-foot-5 swingman's decision to commit to Penn. Harrell joins Jamal Lewis, Tony Hicks and Darien Nelson-Henry as the latest additions to the recruiting class of 2012.

Here are some nuggets that didn't make the article in full.

Harrell on his decision to come to Penn (joining his longtime friend Miles Cartwright) and forego offers to Stanford, Duquesne, and St. Mary's, his other top schools:

Number one, I have a really good relationship with coach Allen. [Also] Miles Cartwright … is like a big brother to me, I've known him since I was five years old.

And I really like the city ... and I like the players on the team. I thought it was the overall best fit.

I think the big thing honestly first is just confidence.

There were some times where Julian would have maybe opportunities to step up and take the shot, and instead he would look to create and get to the basket where maybe that was the best shot available in terms of maybe forcing the drive.

And it sounds like Harrell is not only looking to improve his outside stroke, but he's looking to become a marksman.

I want it to become a dead-eye three-point shot. That’ll just make me even that more versatile.

It tells me that the Palestra is a great place, a great venue.  To hold basically an NBA all-star type game at the Palestra is really big ... I can’t wait to play in the Palestra, there’s so much history in that gym.