One of the top rebounders in the 2017 class, Marcus Santos-Silva revealed where he will be playing out his college basketball career next year. The Vermont Academy product gave his verbal commitment to Will Wade and his VCU basketball program, immediately bringing toughness, a motor, and most of all, the ability to rebound the basketball, something that translates from level to level.

Looking ahead, VCU was in a major need for an interior producer that can rebound the basketball and set the tone down low. Mo Alie-Cox has been that guy for the past three years on campus and will continue to be that dude this college basketball season. However, upon his graduation in the spring, the Rams desperately needed a pummeling big man that wasn’t afraid to bully guys within the painted region. Enter Marcus Santos-Silva.

Selecting the A10 bunch over a former member of the conference in the Temple Owls, Santos-Silva has cut his teeth through the toughness and grit that he has shown on the prep circuit at Vermont Academy, and on the Nike EYBL circuit having run with the famed BABC travel program.

Up against some of the best big men that the high school ranks have to show for themselves, Santos-Silva was one of the most consistent and sturdy producers all summer long. He made over half of his field goal attempts which aided in his near 13 points per game averages. A much underrated portion of his game comes in his ability to read the defense out of the low post where he averaged up to two assists per contest but again, his true value comes back to his rebounding prowess.

Santos-Silva put it bluntly as to what he will bring to VCU. “My overall inside presence and my motor and toughness,” the New England native stated about his strongest assets. “Also the way that I rebound the basketball.”

Coming up with over nine boards an outing and close to 12 rebounds per-32 minutes of action, Santos-Silva gave further insight on what stood out about the program in Richmond. “I love their facility and I love how they use their big guys,” the BABC product stated.

The second commitment in the 2017 class, Santos-Silva joins top-75 guard Lavar Batts in creating a dynamic, guard-big combo at VCU. Look for Wade and his staff to remain on the trail in the pursuit of another interior piece as they are heavily involved for the likes of Aamir Simms and Mayan Kiir.