OSU Basketball Adds Forward To 2014 Recruiting Class

Tavarius Shine, a 6-foot-6, 193-pound basketball player on the post-graduate team at Fork Union Military Academy, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Oklahoma State, it was announced today by head coach Travis Ford.

"Oklahoma State feels like a very family-oriented program," Shine said. "I was able to build a solid relationship with both Coach Ford and Coach (Chris) Ferguson, and felt really comfortable with the entire staff. Coach (James) Dickey had also recruited me, and him joining the program was an added bonus."

According to Shine, he was heavily recruited by several schools out of Fork Union, including Michigan, Tennessee, Wichita State, Tulsa, Houston, Rhode Island, Rutgers, Old Dominion, Utah State and Richmond.

The Blue Devils were ranked as high as No. 6 nationally this past season among post-graduate basketball programs. Shine attended FUMA after graduating from MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas.

"I feel like my strengths are playing hard on defense, my shooting, and being efficient offensively," Shine said. "I pride myself on being a good all-around player."

As a senior with the Cardinals, Shine led the team to a 19-10 overall record, including an 11-3 mark in District 6-5A, good for second place. He averaged 20 points per game in 2012-13 and was named co-Most Valuable player of District 6-5A. Against Grapevine High School, Shine scored 41 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, blocked nine shots and recorded five steals, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He scored 33 points in an early season matchup with Fort Worth Arlington Heights. Shine was also first-team All-District 6-5A as a junior in 2011-12.

"What I really like about Tavarius is that he has a lot of versatility," Ford said. "He can play multiple positions, and he's a very skilled player who can really shoot the basketball. We love that he is such a competitive player that brings a positive, winning attitude every single day."