Saint Ignatius' gifted senior post Derek Sloan told the corner on Wednesday that he has accepted a basketball scholarship from Coach Gary Waters and the Cleveland State University Vikings.

Derek, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound two-time Division I All-Northeast Lakes District selection and a Special Mention on the 2012-13 Associated Press All-Ohio team, chose the Vikings after also considering Fairmont State and Walsh University.

"I like everything about it," said Derek, who emphasized how impressed he is with Coach Waters, all of the coaches at Cleveland State and CSU's educational opportunities and facilities. Derek also pointed to how great it will be for himself, his family and his friends to be playing "at home."

In helping Saint Ignatius to a 21-4 record, the top ranking in The Plain Dealer's Top 25 area poll, a seventh-place ranking in the AP big-school state poll and a District-Final appearance, Derek averaged 16 points and seven rebounds a game, shot nearly 60 percent from the field on two-pointers and was a 40 percent shooter from 3-point range.

A player who can run the floor like a guard and go to the basket with authority, Derek also helped spark Coach Sean O'Toole's defense by blocking 37 shots and making 27 steals.

"Cleveland State is getting the biggest diamond in the rough," said Coach O'Toole '87 of his three-year varsity mainstay. Coach O'Toole also referred to Derek's tremendous upside and potential, and said the coaches at Cleveland State will continue to bring that out of him.

"I'm very excited for Derek and his family," Coach O'Toole said. "They (Cleveland State's staff) do a great, great job over there."

On a personal note, the corner would like to again thank Derek for the kindness and respect he showed to this old-timer the past four seasons and say a huge congratulations to Derek, his family, Coach O'Toole and the entire Saint Ignatius basketball program.