The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team received a verbal commitment on Sept. 21, from 6’11” center John Manning of Chantilly High, Va. Manning is the first verbal commitment for the Billikens for the 2011 recruiting class.

His commitment will become official on Nov. 10, the start of the early signing period.

Manning was a fourth-team all-area selection in Washington, D.C., who made his final decision to come to SLU over Tulane.

He also considered going to George Mason, William and Mary or Central Florida, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“There’s a lot to like [about SLU],” Manning said to the Post-Dispatch.

“The coaching staff, the players, the facilities, the school itself. It was really tough to decide. Both schools had lot of great things about them, but in the end, the staff and [head coach Rick] Majerus’ history [with getting big men into the NBA] was really impressive.”

ESPN.com’s National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi said that Manning’s skill set will be perfect for Majerus’s system. “[SLU] was looking for a true center who could be a factor in the A-10, and in Manning they found that.

“Manning has terrific hands, showing the ability to catch passes anywhere in the paint … He’s almost ambidextrous in the paint. He can shoot jumphooks with either hand, which makes him very difficult to guard.”

Manning will provide more height, power and points at the forward position immediately for SLU.

The Billikens season tips off on Nov. 12, at Chaifetz Arena against Austin Peay State.