On Wednesday afternoon, five-star basketball recruit Simi Shittu took to the internet to announce what college he will attend next year.
Shittu, who is the No. 6 ranked recruit in ESPN's Top 100 for the class of 2018, enlisted the help of The Players Tribune to send out a message to basketball fans. In a roughly 90-second clip, Shittu thanked the individuals who had helped him become an elite prospect.
"Mom and Dad, you guys have really done a lot for me these past few years," Shittu said. "I don't know how I'm going to repay you but I'm [going to] try."
The 18-year-old ended the video message saying that that he will attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
Simi Shittu wants to let you know where he's going to college.
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) November 22, 2017
But first, he has some people from his life to thank. @LanX_Sims pic.twitter.com/CTv7iBoCQq
Shittu is the second five-star recruit in his to commit Vanderbilt. On Nov. 13, point guard Darius Garland became the Commodores' first notable commitment.
The Vermont Academy standout and Burlington, Ontario native is the second notable Canadian to announce his college decision in the class. Earlier in November, R.J. Barrett declared that he was heading for Duke University. While Shittu and Barrett were slated to be teammates on Canada's FIBA U19 World Cup in August that won gold in Egypt, Shittu instead chose to chose to participate in the NBPA Top 100 camp that conflicted with his national team duties.
The 6-foot-9-inch power forward earned co-MVP honors at the event that included other top recruits like No. 2 ranked Zion Williamson and No. 8 ranked recruit Anfernee Simmons, who are both undeclared as of Nov. 22. The NBA camp signaled a big rise in Shittu's stock.
After a decision period where he cut schools such as Kentucky and North Carolina from his list, Shittu eventually landed on Vanderbilt, where he will likely get an immediate opportunity at a starting job.