Some might say Rob Brandenberg was a late bloomer, but his coach believes his timing could not have been better.

Brandenberg, a Gahanna Lincoln High School senior, did not play varsity basketball until his junior season. But it only took one season for the 6-foot-4 guard to draw interest from Division I college coaches.

Brandenberg signed a national letter of intent with Virginia Commonwealth University last Thursday, the second day of the NCAA's fall signing period.

"They're one of the best mid-majors in the country," Brandenberg said of VCU. "They play my type of basketball: fast and up-tempo. It's the type of basketball where I can showcase my talents."

Chances are few people outside Gahanna knew much about Brandenberg prior to last season. His freshman season was cut short because of academics and he spent his sophomore season on junior varsity because of a surplus of guards on varsity.

But Brandenberg quickly made a name for himself last season, leading the Lions in scoring, averaging 17.5 points, and making second-team all-district in Division I.

"Some might say he was a little bit late," Lions coach Tony Staib said. "For Rob, it was right on time."

Brandenberg was second on the team in rebounding, shot 48 percent from 3-point range to set a program record and scored 27 points in a 65-62 upset of defending state champion Newark.

Gahanna finished 18-5 overall and 10-4 in the OCC-Ohio Division to place third behind co-champions Grove City (12-2) and Newark (12-2).

"Outside the program, people have the right to say I came out of nowhere," Brandenberg said. "I just knew what I could do when I got my chance."

Brandenberg chose VCU because he likes the strategy of first-year coach Shaka Smart, a former assistant under Florida coach Billy Donovan who played at Kenyon.

"The way he coaches the game is different from a lot of coaches I talked to," Brandenberg said. "He wants his team to practice how they play and take no plays off. He told me there's no use in practicing if you don't practice at full game speed."

With Brandenberg's athleticism and ability to drive to the basket or shoot from the outside, Staib believes the sky is the limit.

"I don't think he's reached his full potential yet," Staib said. "He still has major upside. Rob can still fill out his body and get a little stronger. I've had a couple college coaches tell me he's good enough after a positive college career to play professionally."