Story Poster
Photo by Patrick Albertini
Texas A&M Basketball Recruiting

Spanish forward Eric Vila signs with Texas A&M

May 23, 2016
41,061

Billy Kennedy and Co. have added another student-athlete to the 2016 basketball recruiting class.

Eric Vila, a forward from Girona, Spain, has signed with Texas A&M and will be joining JJ Caldwell, Robert Williams and Deshawn Corprew as incoming freshmen in this recruiting class, along with transfer guard JC Hampton.

The 6-9, 205-pound Vila will most likely play both the three and four positions. He is mobile for his size and possesses great touch from the outside. When used at the four, he would be a stretch-four type player for mismatch purposes, rather than a back-to-the-basket bruiser in the paint. His ability to put the ball on the court, as well as his range from long distance, makes Vila an immediate threat.

The most underrated parts of Vila's game are his court vision and passing skills. He understands how to play within the team, while also creating his own way to affect the game. Vila will certainly have to improve his defensive game, but although his lateral quickness may hinder him on the perimeter, his length and anticipation help him deflect passes and disrupt opponents.

Vila officially visited College Station the day after the Aggies' historic comeback victory over UNI in the NCAA Tournament and ended when the team was leaving to head to the west coast for its Sweet 16 showdown against Oklahoma. He then immediately flew to Missouri and stayed for two days and then traveled directly to Wake Forest for another two-day visit.

Recently, in the U18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Vila averaged 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 37 percent from inside the arc and 40 percent from long range while also helping his team win the championship. {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"left","Quote":"Recently, in the U18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Vila averaged 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 37 percent from inside the arc and 40 percent from long range while also helping his team win the championship.","Author":""}
It was a long week, but by the time the trips were over, Texas A&M was the school that stood out the most.

The Aggies have been recruiting Vila for a while and have worked to develop a great relationship with him. Although schools such as Oregon, Wichita State, Utah, Wake Forest and Houston all offered a scholarship, one of the biggest obstacles to overcome was whether or not Vila wanted to remain in Spain and play professionally.

Recently, in the U18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Vila averaged 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 37 percent from inside the arc and 40 percent from long range while also helping his team win the championship.

In the U16 European Championships, Vila averaged just over 10 points and six rebounds per game, shooting better than 45 percent from behind the three-point line and helping his team to the Bronze medal.

Vila will have to spend a lot of time with Darby Rich in the weight room in preparation for the more physical and athletic opponents the Aggies will face throughout SEC play, but his skill set is tremendous for his age and size. He hasn't physically matured yet, but that will only improve his abilities on the court.

Overall, Vila is a skilled player that will add depth to the Aggie roster — and, with hard work in the weight room, he will be a very good player for Texas A&M.

Below is the championship game in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament.

Highlights to watch in the 1st quarter:

  • 19:00 minute mark
  • 24:45 mark
  • 26:05 mark (watch a few possessions)
  • 30:00 mark


Discussion from...

Spanish forward Eric Vila signs with Texas A&M

30,251 Views | 42 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by citizenkane06
Logan Lee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
AG
Spanish forward Eric Vila signs with Texas A&M
wacarnolds
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Gig em
TrueGrit69
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Whoop... Nice get!
Method Man
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Great scoop Logan!
Know Your Enemy
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Kennedy can't recruit.
mallen
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Welcome to Aggieland, Eric Vila! The Aggies ink back to back Top 15 recruiting classes and this year may be the most underrated of the two!
hoya-ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
wacarnolds
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
quote:
Kennedy can't recruit.
great posting!
Know Your Enemy
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
quote:
quote:
Kennedy can't recruit.
great posting!

Just trying to fit in here.
wacarnolds
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
quote:
Just trying to fit in here.
congrats on being part of the problem
wacarnolds
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
are there any FC Barcelona contractual obligations as far as how long he plans to spend in the US? Don't think we've ever signed such a highly-rated international prospect, so I'm not sure how that work.
Morpholino
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Whoop! Welcome to Aggieland, Eric!
RomanAg11
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Welcome!
Method Man
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Junkhead, since Kennedy has been pushed out of Texas by Shaka we have to go overseas.
RoseRichAg01
How long do you want to ignore this user?
agfan1030
How long do you want to ignore this user?
bobeag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
OleAg65
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Wonderful addition. Ags are not rebuilding but reloading .
bairo44
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Another stellar class. Bright future for our bball program.
agtrevino07
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Amazing get! Hogg 2.0?
czar_iv
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I like this dude; I don't have a good comparison but he just seems like a player! Welcome to Aggieland!!
JRB78
How long do you want to ignore this user?
West Point Aggie
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Just think of all the fun he'll have trying to "get" A&M
Pumpkinhead
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
This is absolutely shocking news! Just shocking! Booooooo to Logan never providing us a single hint the last few weeks that this would happen.
La Bamba
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
What a great class. I feel like Vila will have a huge impact on this team for years to come. The dude possesses a ton of different skills on the bball court rare for a 6' 9" guy. Now get to eating and lifting young man!!
SEC Champs
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Does he like tacos?
Pumpkinhead
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Definitely recommend watching the highlight marks of the Youtube video that Logan mentioned. This kid has a very smooth looking shot. And he made them in a variety of ways in that championship game, catch and shoot, off the dribble, some mid-range and at least one from maybe NBA range. And he looked comfortable handling the ball.
Morpholino
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
quote:
Does he like tacos?


They don't eat tacos in Spain. But he'll probably like 'em.
Method Man
How long do you want to ignore this user?
quote:
Does he like tacos?


Shut up
The Collective
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
quote:
quote:
quote:
Kennedy can't recruit.
great posting!

Just trying to fit in here.


It appears you left your safe space.
Cedar Bayou Ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
texag86
How long do you want to ignore this user?
BobOliver2006
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Vepp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Eric, eat our tacos and put about 20 pounds of muscle!
Gig 'Em
GE
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Kid looks like an elite shooter. Beautiful stroke. He's good at using his length to get in passing lanes on defense and has good body control for a 6'9" guy who hasn't physically developed yet. Against teams that don't have the depth to expose him on the defensive end, Vila can contribute significantly as a true freshman.
Page 1 of 2
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.