When it came down to it, Eric Lockett was faced with a difficult decision. There were two mid-major powerhouses that were in hot pursuit of his commitment. Should the 6-foot-6 small forward from Whitefield Academy go to George Mason or Western Kentucky?

After going back and forth between the two March staples, Lockett decided George Mason was the one. He committed on Sunday night to the new Atlantic 10 program.

"It was the best fit for me as far as my future is concerned," Lockett said. "I sat down and looked at it and asked myself which school would be the best fit for me and I made my decision based on that."

Knowing that both schools were winning programs, Lockett said the off-the-court benefits of each option were strongly considered.

"That came into play a lot. I looked at their business programs, location, chances for internships, all of that stuff, came into play and factored in," Lockett said.

For the Patriots, Lockett brings one of the best winning mentalities of any player in Georgia. He was part of Aim High's championship team that claimed the loaded Best of the South tournament in July. When paired against some of the best players in the Southeast, Lockett was incredibly effective on both sides of the ball.

"Obviously, defensively I can come in and help. On the perimeter I can be another asset along with two senior guards so I'm going to have to get better handling the ball," Lockett, the No. 7 overall player in Georgia, said. "I have to keep working hard and just continue working on my game and keep the same mindset."