During his official visit to Penn State earlier this week, Tre Bowman saw plenty to convince him the Nittany Lions basketball program was a good fit.

The former Central York standout dined with Penn State coaches, got to know them. He shot baskets and worked out with members of the team. Perhaps most importantly, Bowman received assurance he would have the chance to earn playing time right away.

By the time Tre Bowman and his father, Terry, returned to their hotel room Monday night, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound shooting guard had made up his mind. That night, Bowman said he gave his verbal commitment to attend Penn State on a basketball scholarship next fall.

In doing so, Bowman ended the recruiting chase for his services that heated up this winter, which Bowman spent playing for the renowned post-graduate basketball program at St. Thomas More prep school in Oakdale, Conn.

"I'm excited," Bowman said Tuesday afternoon, shortly after arriving back in York from his official visit. "After they dropped me off at the hotel (on Monday), I sat down with my dad and we called my mom. I just decided I was comfortable with Penn State."

Bowman fielded offers from several suitors, but said he ultimately chose Penn State over South Florida, Minnesota and Drexel.

The springy, slick-shooting guard will try to help the Nittany Lions and head coach Ed DeChellis rebound from a disappointing campaign. Penn State ended up 11-20 this season with a Big Ten-worst 3-16 conference

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record.

He may get to chip in sooner rather than later. Last year's starting shooting guard, rising junior Chris Babb, plans to transfer, leaving a void at the position.

"The coaches told me if you don't come in and contribute next year, we'll be disappointed," Bowman said.

Bowman was lightly recruited out of Central York, where he averaged 21.6 points per game as a senior in 2008-09. He opted for prep school and chose St. Thomas More, which produced current West Virginia standout Devin Ebanks and former Rutgers and NBA guard Quincy Douby, among others.

The guard became one of the most reliable scorers on a stacked team. Six Chancellors seniors will play Division I basketball next year, St. Thomas More coach Jere Quinn said.

"I think it really helped him out in a lot of ways," Terry Bowman said of Tre's time at prep school. "Being away from home really helped with his maturity along with living in that regimented structure. ... Then on the athletic side, he's been playing with Division I players every night."

Quinn said Bowman needs to refine his defense. Still, he feels the guard could contribute right away in college.

"He brings something to the table that a lot of kids don't, and that is he shoots the basketball," Quinn said.

Penn State began recruiting Bowman last winter, but didn't offer him a scholarship then. The Nittany Lions rekindled their interest in the scoring guard a few months ago.

Earlier this month, Penn State coaches, including DeChellis, traveled to New Haven, Conn., to watch Bowman play in the National Prep Championships. In the quarterfinal game, Bowman hit a short jumper at the buzzer to give St. Thomas More a one-point, overtime victory.

"They said it was a good shot," Bowman said laughing.

Verbal commitments are non-binding, but Bowman said he plans to finalize his decision April 14, the first day basketball recruits can sign a National Letter of Intent.

He said he'll enroll in summer classes at Penn State in May.

"It's going to be a very big challenge, adjusting to the college game," Bowman said. "I just have to work hard."

jclayton@ydr.com; 771-2045