Starkville's Gavin Ware is set to commit to MSU today. (Photo by Charles A. Smith)

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Rivals.com is reporting that Starkville High post player Gavin Ware will make a verbal commitment to Mississippi State's basketball program at a 5 p.m. press conference today.

Ware (6-foot-8, 247 pounds) is a big pickup for coach Rick Stansbury. The 2012 prospect averaged 19 points, 10.5 rebounds and five blocks per game last season, which was shortened by a knee injury. Ware recently led the Southern Phenoms to the AAU state title. He's a four-star prospect, according to Rivals, with a No. 77 overall national ranking and No. 13 ranking among centers.

Ware recently told Rivals he wouldn't commit to a school until January or February, and then sign in the spring. His other offers are from Alabama, Georgetown, Missouri and Tennessee.

He's the third 2012 commitment for MSU, joining four-star guard Craig Sword (Montgomery, Ala., Carver) and three-star guard Fred Thomas (Jackson Jim Hill).

Ware's press conference will be held at the Starkville High library.