While the California Golden Bears had always been in the picture for local five-star power forward Ivan Rabb, Berkeley became an especially enticing option once Cuonzo Martin was hired to replace Mike Montgomery.
In fact, while on Cal’s campus to play a state championship game, rumors swirled around the nation that Rabb might end his recruitment right then and there. While he didn’t make the call at that point, all signs pointed towards the Bears nabbing the McDonald’s All-American.
On Thursday night, while at his mother’s local restaurant, the Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) product made things official, giving Martin and his staff his verbal pledge.
Rabb’s commitment is the second bit of good recruiting news that Martin’s staff has gotten this week, as highly sought after shooting guard Tyson Jolly chose Cal over a host of suitors on Tuesday.
Not only does Rabb give the Bears a much needed post presence for next season, but he gives the program its most significant commitment since the days of Jason Kidd, who was also from Oakland. This kind of momentum, keeping an All-American home, is just what the doctor ordered after Cal faltered down the stretch last season.
Once thought of as a package deal with Michigan State pledge Caleb Swanigan, Rabb has made no secret that he will be recruiting fellow five-star Jaylen Brown to Berkeley. Many industry experts believe that Cal might even have the lead for Brown, who is also seriously considering UCLA and Kentucky.
Regardless of whether Brown joins him, Rabb will have Cal as one of the favorites heading into next season’s Pac-12 schedule.
