Clayton breaks down decision

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Willie Clayton can finally take the monkey off his back. The Thomasville (Ga.) native made it official Saturday, committing to play for Alan Major and the Charlotte 49ers when the 2012 season rolls around.

"It feels great just to get the load off my shoulders and relieve everything instead of talking to everybody and having all the coaches calling my phone all the time," Clayton said. "I'm glad I got it done."

Clayton chose Charlotte over Mercer, picking the 49ers because he said Major and Co. set him up for life after basketball.

"It was a big factor because basketball only lasts so long for any athlete," Clayton said. "I don't care what sport you play. The sport only lasts so long until your body gives up on you. So I thought they really set me up well, that's what really won me over."

Look at Terrell Owens, he's stuck on the NFL and can't find a job because his knee is messed up. Now he's depressed about money and doesn't have all that stuff that he used to have. I don't want to be like that guy, I want to be the guy that has the criminal justice degree to fall back on after basketball."

Though he wouldn't say it publicly during his recruitment, Clayton revealed Monday that the 49ers led pretty much the whole way.

"Charlotte just stood out to me the most," he said. "They have a great coaching staff, and coach Major is a great coach. With all the coaches, I just felt like I had a great relationship with them."

Clayton took a late-August visit to Charlotte with Mooresville (N.C.) shooting guard Shawn Lester, who committed to the 49ers just days following his visit. He liked what he saw.

"We touched base on maybe playing together down the road, but we didn't go deep into it," Clayton said. "Shawn is a good player though, and I'm excited and ready to play with him. He seemed like a real cool guy to hang around."

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward spends an exponential amount of time on the low blocks, and can gobble up rebounds with the best of them. But he doesn't like to compare his game with anyone.

"I always tell everyone that my game is unique," he said "Some people tell me I play like Dennis Rodman. But I say my game is unique, because God only made one Willie Clayton. I don't copy anyone's game or anything like that."

Clayton plans on being at Charlotte's basketball madness Thursday, Oct. 20, and plans on signing his letter of intent Nov. 8.

"I want to tell them (Charlotte fans) that I appreciate them for everything. Stick behind me and support me because when I come to Charlotte, they're going to get great things out of me."