A growing number of high school student-athletes – including a handful in the Sacramento region – are making verbal commitments to colleges before their junior year.

It's a trend that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago.

One dramatic example of early pledges came last month when Lake Sherwood (in Southern California) eighth-grade basketball star Michael Avery said he would attend Kentucky, which offered him a scholarship.

According to Rivals.com, Avery, 15, accepted Kentucky's offer before deciding what high school he would attend.

That development led the National Association of Basketball Coaches to criticize college programs that offer scholarships to middle school student-athletes.

While the NCAA prohibits college programs from contacting high school student-athletes until mid-June after their sophomore year, there is no rule against contacting middle-school students.

"If the current rules state coaches cannot offer scholarships or accept commitments from students earlier than June 15 following the conclusion of the sophomore year, it certainly makes sense that this should apply to anyone in lower grades," Minnesota men's basketball coach and NABC president Tubby Smith said in a statement.

Six years ago, former Sheldon and Vallejo High School basketball star DeMarcus Nelson made history when, as a sophomore, he became the youngest athlete to give a verbal commitment to perennial collegiate power Duke.

Within the last two years, four high school athletes from the Sacramento region have given verbal commitments before entering their junior year – three-time All-Metro Baseball Player of the Year and Yuba City High School catcher Max Stassi (UCLA), two-time All-Metro Softball Player of the Year and Sheldon High pitcher Jolene Henderson (Cal), Sheldon standout softball catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt (Cal), and Bear River High star softball infielder Courtney Ceo (Oregon).

Cal-Hi Sports Executive Editor Mark Tennis said the early verbal commitment trend started a decade ago with the Penn State football program. It has picked up because of the proliferation of scouts and Internet rating services that follow younger players.

For the athletes, a verbal commitment can be a step toward securing a scholarship with the school of their dreams. Moreover, it takes them off the recruiting market and alleviates some of the pressure that comes with hundreds of schools vying for their talents.

"If you know where you want to go to school, and the school gives you the offer that you want, and everything fits, and you know in your heart of hearts you won't change your mind, then I recommend giving a verbal right away," Ceo said.

However, some coaches – such as Sheldon boys basketball coach Scott Gradin – are glad the NABC is monitoring the situation in basketball.

Gradin has two high-profile players on his team in 6-foot-6 forward Darius Nelson, the younger brother of DeMarcus, and 6-8 forward Ramon Eaton.

Darius Nelson was named the state's Freshman Player of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, and Eaton was named to the All-State first team as a freshman.

"I'm glad the coaches association is looking into it because most kids really don't know what they want," Gradin said.

"Plus, it lessens the pressure a little bit for the players and doesn't force them to make a decision so soon. They can take time to make a good decision about their future."

But no matter when a player gives a verbal commitment, the move confirms that a player and a school are in a serious relationship.

"Verbal commitments are like dating," said current USC defensive lineman and former Pleasant Grove High standout Armond Armstead, who was the most recruited high school football player from the Sacramento region last season.

"A college likes you and you like them. So everybody does what they can to build the relationship. You send flowers and candy to keep things going.

"But the most important thing is telling everybody you're an item. You have to let people know you're not interested in any other person but that certain girl."

Call The Bee's Quwan Spears, (916) 326-5517.