====== Jim McCoy commits to UMass ====== **Calipari inks first hoop recruit**\\ From [[http://www.dailycollegian.com|The Massachusetts Daily Collegian]], April 28, 1988 Only one day after being named the 17th men's basketball head coach at the University of Massachusetts, [[calipari_john|John Calipari]] has already signed his first recruit. [[mccoy_jim|Jim McCoy]], a 6'3 guard/forward from Pittsburgh's Central Catholic High School, signed a letter of intent to attend UMass in the Fall. "Jim McCoy is not only a great basketball player, but he's a great young man. He fits into the mold of the smooth athletic type we want at UMass," Calipari said. "He'll be a solid player. He's not what you would call a savior for the program." McCoy, who averaged 21.9 points and 9.0 points((The Collegian printed "points" here, but perhaps they meant rebounds.)) per game for Central Catholic, was also recruited by [[opponent_rutgers|Rutgers]], [[opponent_richmond|Richmond]], James Madison and [[opponent_virginia|Virginia]]. In addition to leading his school to the finals of the Pennsylvania state championship, McCoy was selected as a member of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Fabulous Five, and also played in the Dapper Dan Classic with nationally renowned prep stars [[wp>Alonzo Mourning]] and [[wp>Billy Owens]]. McCoy was also named first team Associated Press All-State, and was the MVP of the AAAA Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League.