Cothron set to sign with Auburn

Luke Cothron planned to sleep on it another night. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward wanted to be sure of his final choice before announcing it publicly.

Cothron decided he didn't need to.

"Nothing is going to change," Cothron said. "It's been Auburn all along. Since I went there on a visit last weekend, I knew Auburn is where I wanted to go.

"I'm committed to Auburn and plan on signing with them in two weeks."

Cothron, currently attending Flora Macdonald Academy in Red Springs, N.C., will sign a National Letter of Intent with Auburn Saturday, May 15. Cothron could sign with the Tigers at any time before then, but said he would like to sign the papers in his hometown of Huntsville, Ala.

"I want to be with my family," said Cothron. "I want to share it with them."

Cothron chose Auburn after narrowing his choices to the Tigers, Kentucky, UConn and Tennessee. Auburn had one thing the other three didn't, said Cothron.

"The head coach, Tony Barbee," he said. "He's a great coach. I've developed a great relationship with him. I've known him for a couple of years now. I like him. I trust him. I feel like he can get me to the next level."

Cothron visited Auburn Saturday and spent half the day meeting with Barbee, the assistant coaches, touring the campus and facilities. It was all Cothron needed to see.

"After seeing Auburn, after visiting and meeting the coaches, the people, my decision was easy," he said. "I love it down at Auburn. I feel comfortable there and I think Coach Barbee will take the program to another level."

Cothron said he would be a part of the Tigers' rise, and so would his close friend Josh Langford, the top in-state prospect according to The Birmingham News. Langford committed and signed with Auburn April 22. The two have talked about what they want to do at Auburn. The two already have lofty goals on the Plains, not only for themselves, but the Tigers' basketball program.

"Josh and I are like family," Cothron said. "He's real excited about me going to Auburn. So am I. I think we are going to do big things. We are definitely going to put Auburn Basketball back on the map.

"I know Auburn is a football school, but we're going to bring basketball back. I hope the Auburn fans are ready."

Rivals.com rates Cothron a four-star prospect, the nation's No. 11 power forward and No. 45 overall recruit in the 2010 class. As a senior, Cothron averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds. He expects to be a full-qualifier.