Wednesday, Aug. 12, Pacher repaid the favor, with interest.
He called Brownell and said he wanted to be with the Raiders beginning in 2010.
Pacher became the second recruit to give a verbal commitment to the Raiders for that season, joining 6-4 guard Keegan Clark of Jeffersonville, Ind.
Wright State has four seniors entering their final year of eligibility this season, plus an open spot on the roster.
“He’s a really good coach,” said Pacher of Brownell, whose addition of Pacher will be the first truly local recruit the coach has had here as a freshman in his three seasons.
Scott Grote, a Centerville graduate, is a WSU junior, but he played his first season at Duquesne before transferring.
Pacher averaged 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a junior on a Vandalia team that was 6-15 after starting the season at 0-9.
“I think A.J. has a lot more in him to give as he develops his strength,” said Jeff Kreill, Vandalia’s new coach, who served the past two years as the junior varsity coach.
“We’ve already got him working in the weight room. We’re really going to push him there. The upside is, he’s never really been in the weight room.”
Kreill said Pacher played in seventh and eighth grade as a point guard, so he has mobility.
“I’m a good shooter,” said Pacher, “and I can also step out and shoot the 3. Those are the best parts of my game.”
Pacher said he had offers from Bowling Green, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky and Cornell.
Ultimately, playing for the WSU coaching staff and being able to stay close to home won out.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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