After watching his stock skyrocket in recent months, Selma High senior center Wendell Lewis had the field narrowed down to three of his suitors on Monday.

On Tuesday, he picked Mississippi State. He will sign with the Bulldogs during a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. today.

The Bulldogs were the last to host Lewis on an official visit last weekend. When the visit wrapped up, Lewis made his decision.

“They have a nice program, nice academics, nice campus,” said Lewis. “I went in there, and it was like standing in the middle of a football field. I was blown away by it.”

Lewis was most impressed by the facilities, including the Templeton Athletic Academic Center, which opened its doors on Nov. 1, 2008. The visit also sold his grandmother, Bernice “B” Lewis,

“It’s a great campus, Everything is convenient,” said Lewis. “It’s an environment where I think he can excel. The academics are strong. Everything is convenient and centrally located.”

Lewis said that he is prepared for the next level largely due to the quality of opponent he faced in the basketball-crazed Black Belt.

“I feel like it played a real good role,” said Lewis. “I feel like I’m ready.”

Though he played center at Selma, the Bulldogs are bringing him in to play forward.

“He’s a guy that can play the floor for Mississippi State,” said Selma coach Woodie Jackson. “I feel like Wendell will fit in wherever he goes.”

Lewis picked the Bulldogs over Auburn and Western Kentucky. Aside from facilities, Lewis said he felt like the distance from Selma to Starkville was the perfect balance of space from and closeness to home.

“They have nice facilities. The coach showed me the new practice facility they got built,” said Lewis.“