Western Kentucky commit Phabian Glasco

Phabian Glasco was a new name publicly for Western Kentucky’s recruiting haul, but the Hilltoppers began courting him last semester to help replace George Fant.

Glasco, a 6-foot-7 forward from Connors State College in Oklahoma, verbally committed to WKU on Saturday during a visit to the school.

“I liked the community itself – how close-knit it is and how everyone loves the basketball team there,” Glasco told the Daily News on Monday. “They support the basketball team.”

Glasco spent the weekend in Bowling Green, meeting the coaches and players, playing hoops with the Tops and getting a tour of campus.

He was also intrigued by the chance to get a degree in sports management, as he has a desire to go into business after college.

Glasco said Ray Harper and assistant Shawn Forrest were the lead recruiters on him.

“They remind me of my junior-college coaches,” he said. “They’re easy to relate to and understanding.”

Glasco averaged 12.5 points and 10.6 rebounds as a sophomore at Connors State. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining and can play right away.

He said the coaches told him last semester about losing Fant and the opportunity to produce inside.

“I play my heart out,” Glasco said. “I give 110 percent and never back down from challenges.”

Glasco said he also had interest from North Texas, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State and Louisiana-Lafayette.

He plans to arrive at WKU in early June for summer school. He’ll officially sign with the Toppers on Friday, he said. The spring signing period begins Wednesday.

— Zach Greenwell