Gary star DeJuan Marrero commits to DePaul

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DeJuan Marrero. | For Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 16, 2011 1:30AM

DeJuan Marrero is glad the recruiting is over. Glad the questions about where he is going to college are cleared up. Glad he found a place close to home that satisfied all of his criteria.

Marrero, a senior at Thea Bowman in Gary who was considering Ball State, Dayton, Iowa, Missouri and Missouri State, committed Tuesday to DePaul. He will sign a letter-of-intent with the Blue Demons in November.

For Marrero, the opportunity to play early and help DePaul build while staying close to his mother was
appealing. The Blue Demons finished 7-24 overall and 1-17 in the Big East last season.

‘‘It’s an honor to go there,’’ Marrero said. ‘‘It’s the Big East, and it has great academics. I like the idea that I’ll be close to home. I’m glad it’s over. Now I can go on and enjoy life and get to work in the gym.’’

Bowman’s defensive press mirrors what DePaul does under coach Oliver Purnell. The Blue Demons play fast and use the whole floor on defense.

Marrero, who averaged 22.2 points and 15.4 rebounds for the Eagles’ 2010 state championship team, credited DePaul assistant Billy Garrett, a holdover from former coach Jerry Wainwright’s staff, for closing the deal. Garrett has known Marrero since he was a kid.

‘‘He had stuck with me the longest,’’ Marrero said. ‘‘You can’t go wrong with the whole staff.’’