Starting in the fall of 2007, Chris Wright will join the University of Dayton men's basketball team.

And, I don't know how to put this, but he's kind of a big deal.

Wright, a junior at Trotwood-Madison High School, has been ranked among the top 30 basketball players in his class and as high as the eighth best small forward in the nation by some publications.

If you follow Dayton basketball, you have to be thrilled about his decision. From all reports, Wright has the potential to be something very special on the basketball court.

It's not Wright's verbal commitment to UD that has me excited, though. That's promising news to be sure, but what his decision means for the future of Dayton basketball is what really gets me fired up.

Now, I know what you're thinking. 'Kevin, be reasonable. He is just one guy. What could his coming to UD mean for the future of UD hoops'?

Well since you asked, I'll be glad to tell you.

After to failing to recruit successfully in our own backyard for years and years, UD has FINALLY won over the best player in the local area.

Landing Chris Wright means so much more to this program than one player. Gone are the days when the best players in the Dayton area have left home for the Cincinnati's, the Xavier's and the Ohio State's of the world.

With Wright in a Flyers' uniform, the trend is bound to continue. Local players will FINALLY want to stay in Dayton and play for UD head coach Brian Gregory.

'Brian Gregory stayed here, and he could have went to DePaul, which is his home,' Wright told me. 'And that's what really made me want to stay here, 'cause he knew he could build something special.'

Along with the possibility of an influx of local talent to arrive at UD because of his commitment, Wright can also play some ball.

The 6-7 high school junior plays both forward positions for Trotwood-Madison, but Wright says he expects to play the small forward at UD. He said the strength of his game is on the defensive end of the floor, and he is working to improve his shooting and ball handling skills.

Some experts are saying Wright has what it takes to play in the NBA someday. Now I haven't followed UD basketball for that long, but I know it's been a long time since the Flyers have had a player good enough to consider leaving college early to play in the League.

'It depends on if I'm ready,' explained Wright. 'If my game is ready, I'd do it.'

In addition to Gregory and the coaching staff, Wright credits two other factors in his decision to come to UD.

The first is his friendship with several players already on the Flyer roster. Wright says he is good friends with UD sophomores Norman Plummer, Chris Alvarez and Brian Roberts.

The other factor includes UD's fans and the chance to play inside the UD Arena.

'Wow, you can't really explain the atmosphere unless you're there,' Wright said. 'It's just crazy, the fan support. It's basically sold out every game.'

If (and this might be a big if) Brian Gregory remains the head coach for a very long time, we might be seeing the beginning of a new era of Dayton basketball. With Gregory at the helm, the Flyers might FINALLY proceed to their rightful place as a dominant force in all of college basketball.

Chris Wright can see it already. Gregory can build something special at UD, and Chris, you are going to help him do it. You and all the young men like you. All the young men from southwestern Ohio who decide to attend UD.

I made the same decision four years ago, although under different circumstances, and it has worked out pretty well. I promise you won't regret it. It might even turn out to be the best decision of your young life.