Derrick Favors officially signs with Georgia Tech

It became official just before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Derrick Favors, Scout.com’s No. 1 prospect and the Naismith Award winner as the nation’s top high school player, signed his letter of intent with Georgia Tech.

He was surrounded by his mother, grandmother and two aunts, with more than 100 friends and classmates looking on in the South Atlanta High theater.

“I’ve been waiting for this since, like ninth grade,” Favors said.

“It’s a great way to end my high school career, to end it with a state championship and then to sign with Georgia Tech in front of my friends and family members.”

Favors said he chose Tech because “it’s a good academic school and I wanted all my friends to be able to see me play.”

The 6-9, 233-pound Favors led South Atlanta to the Class AAA state championship by averaging 28.1 points, 13.3 rebounds, five blocks, four steals and three assists. Earlier this month, he won MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Favors joined four other highly-rated seniors who signed with Tech last November: point guard Mfon Udofia (Miller Grove), forward Kammeon Holsey (Hancock Central), wing Glen Rice (Walton) and forward Brian Oliver (William Penn of New Castle, Del.).

The Jackets certainly need the help after finishing 12-19, 2-14 in the ACC.