Men’s basketball head coach Mike Lonergan confirmed Wednesday that freshman forward John Kopriva will join the Colonials for the 2011-12 season, the first new recruit signing for Lonergan since taking helm of the program in May.

Kopriva was previously committed to the University of Vermont, but asked in June to be released from his National Letter of Intent to follow former Catamounts head coach Lonergan to the Smith Center.

Lonergan’s announcement confirmed the widely-held belief that Kopriva would take to the court a Colonial in the fall.

The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks per game for Milwaukee Marquette High School last season, leading his team to a 15-7 overall record.  As a junior, the Wauwatosa, Wis. native was ranked No. 9 among state players in the class of 2011 by WisSports.net, averaging 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and nearly three blocked shots per game. He was also the starting quarterback on the high school’s football team.

“We are excited about John Kopriva coming to the George Washington University and joining our basketball family,” Lonergan said.  “He is a special young man and I think he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Kopriva and fellow incoming recruit Jonathan Davis will join the Colonials as the team comes off its best season in the past four years.