Though Panther men’s basketball head coach Mike Miller has yet to coach a game at Eastern, he’s already begun stockpiling talent for the 2006-07 season.

Miller received an oral commitment from 6-foot-2, 205-pound guard Kijuane Leach from Chicago Leo High School.

Leo head coach Noah Cannon described his three-year starter as a strong, athletic guard who can play either the point or shooting guard position.

“He has Division I talent – no ifs, ands or buts about it,” Cannon said.

In his sophomore season at Leo, Leach helped the Class A Lions win their first state title.

Coaches are prohibited from discussing recruits until they sign a National Letter of Intent. The early signing period begins Nov. 9 and ends Nov. 16.

Leach is the second Chicago product to head to Charleston in Miller’s short tenure, joining freshman guard Mike Robinson of Chicago Hales Franciscan.

The two guards competed in the same high school conference, the Chicago Catholic League and played for the same AAU team (Mean Streets) two summers ago.

“The one thing Kijuane fell in love with is the opportunity to play with Mike,” Cannon said.

In addition to his developing skill, Cannon also said he’s seen Leach grow as a person.

“I’m proud of him. We had some battles,” Cannon said. “You definitely can tell his maturity level.

“His maturity definitely has improved year by year.”