Khem Burch

Ohio State has made an offer to one of the top big men for 2012 in 6-9 Canadian import Khem Birch.

Birch is a consensus top-10 prospect for 2012, ranking as the No. 3 prospect overall by ESPN.com, No. 6 by Scout.com and No. 9 by Rivals.com. He is originally from the Montreal area, but came to America to give himself the best opportunity in basketball.

He played last school year at Winchendon Prep in Massachusetts and will move to Fitchburg (Mass.) Notre Dame Prep this year.

“Some people saw my talent in basketball and they helped me get to the school in Massachusetts,” Birch said. “I was able to prove myself there. Coming there, I was able to focus more on basketball.

“The academics will be better at Notre Dame Prep. Plus, the coach at Winchendon left. I am on track right now academically.”

Birch actually believed he had a future in another sport before he began to concentrate solely on basketball.

“I used to play football,” he said. “I thought I was going to play Canadian football. I was a wide receiver and a quarterback. But basketball is my better sport.”

In June, Birch played for Team Canada in the Under-18 FIBA Americas Championship in San Antonio. He helped Team Canada win the bronze medal. He had four points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots in the bronze medal win over Argentina. He also had seven points and seven rebounds in a semifinal loss to the eventual champion Team USA. And he had 14 points and 10 rebounds in a pool play win over Brazil.

The experience could help Birch in his bid to represent Canada in future international events like the World Championships and the Olympics.

“We were like brothers,” Birch said of his experience with the Canadian team. “We were together for like three weeks.”

Last week, Birch attended the Nike LeBron James Skills Academy and the King City Classic in northeast Ohio. At those two events, he more than held his own against some of the best big men in the 2011 class. He joined OSU verbal Shannon Scott on the tournament winning team at the King City Classic.

“I had never been to a camp like that,” Birch said. “There were a lot of the top players in the country there. Playing against them will help me to improve. I think it will help me. I have to prove myself. They have ranked me as a top-10 player (for 2012) and I have to go out and play hard.

“Pretty much, I’m still unknown. People ask me where I’m from at camps and tournaments.”

Birch shared his list of top schools. It includes Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas, Iowa, St. John’s, Providence, Ohio State, Texas, West Virginia and Florida. Of that group, all but Kentucky and Kansas have made offers.

“I am looking for a school that will fit my style and help me get to the next level,” Birch said. “My game will change in two years, I know that.”

Ohio State offered Birch after his play in the Americas Championship.

“I talked to (OSU assistant Jeff) Boals,” Birch said. “He told me about the offer. He seems like a nice guy. I’m looking forward to meeting him and visiting there.”

When asked who might be an early favorite, Birch said, “I guess Pitt might be a little bit higher. My assistant coach has some ties to Pittsburgh.”

But this talented big man will likely not finalize his college choice until next summer.

“I’m not in a hurry,” he said. “I will decide next year.”