After two years of junior college to improve academics, New Albany native Chris Whitehead will finish his college basketball career at the Division I level.

Whitehead, a Class of 2011 high school graduate, gave a verbal commitment Friday to Fordham University in New York City.

“I think I have a good shot to get some playing time right away,” said Whitehead, who is finishing spring classes at Danville Area Community College in Danville, Illinois. “That was the main thing. All I want to do is play, especially coming out of junior college.”

The former Bulldog star was named a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II first-team All-American, helping Danville Area to a 28-4 record with averages of 12.3 points and 4.8 assists per game. He was also honored as Region 24 and Mid-West Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

“I expect to get an opportunity to handle the ball and get in the lane and make plays,” added Whitehead, who intends to sign a National Letter of Intent with his new school Monday.

Fordham, a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, finished 7-24 last season.

“I played with the (Fordham) team twice during my visit and felt like I could help them,” he said. “You can always turn (a bad record) around.”

Whitehead had collected scholarship offers from Southern Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Colorado and Tulane, among others, Danville head coach Mike Carpenter told Hoosier Hills Hoops.