Post by Bornthrilla on Nov 20, 2007 9:42:25 GMT -5
GREENSBORO, November 20, 2007 – The North Carolina A&T men’s basketball coach Jerry Eaves received another sign that his basketball program has been turned around. The fifth-year coach received early commitments during the signing period.
Eaves inked four recruits – three from the high school ranks – for the 2008-2009 season. In his previous four seasons, Eaves only signed one recruit – Demetrius Guions – during the early singing period.
“To sign this many players this early is huge for my program,’’ Eaves said. “It says that North Carolina A&T is a player in the recruiting game again.
My players help me recruit and there are no better ambassadors for North Carolina A&T State University than (current guards) Austin Ewing and Steven Rush. They did a wonderful job of selling the school, and my assistants did a great job of locating talent.”
Eaves added more height to his lineup for next season with 6-foot-10 Louis Craft out of Fayetteville, N.C. Craft averaged 12.0 points and 12.0 rebounds last season. Eaves signed three players of taller than 6-7 last season.
“He’s another big body we can throw into the lineup,’’ said Eaves. “He comes from a good program there at Jack Britt. I think they had another player go Division I, so he’s going to add to our interior strength and we expect him to have a big year at Jack Britt.”
After landing another big man, the Aggies went after their replacements for senior guards Ewing, Rush and Angelo Hernandez.
Nic Simpson is a combo guard out of Ft. Thomas, Ky. He averaged 15.0 points and 3.3 assists per game as a junior. Eaves said he likes his ability to take opponents off the dribble.
“He’ll probably the best one-on-one guard I’ve signed since I’ve been here,’’ said Eaves. “He can shoot the ‘J’ and is truly a change of pace guard who can create his own shot.”
Marc Hill is from the same hometown as a recent Aggie standout. Like, All-MEAC forward Jason Wills, Hill is from Upper Marlboro, Md. Hill, a 5-9 point guard, averaged 11.5 points and 5.0 assists per game as a junior.
“He’s truly a one-man fastbreak,’’ said Eaves. “He’s lightning. He can push the ball, create for others and shoot the jump shot. He is everything you want in a point guard. And you can see that he understands the game.”
The only junior college transfer Eaves brought in is 6-2 shooting guard Dwane Joshua. Joshua plays at Florida Community College in Jacksonville. Joshua is a shooter. So far this season, he is averaging 18.0 points and shooting 50 percent from 3-point range. He is also a 81 percent free throw shooter.
“His numbers speak for themselves,’’ said Eaves. He can flat out shoot the basketball. He is what I call a high-powered guard.”
Eaves inked four recruits – three from the high school ranks – for the 2008-2009 season. In his previous four seasons, Eaves only signed one recruit – Demetrius Guions – during the early singing period.
“To sign this many players this early is huge for my program,’’ Eaves said. “It says that North Carolina A&T is a player in the recruiting game again.
My players help me recruit and there are no better ambassadors for North Carolina A&T State University than (current guards) Austin Ewing and Steven Rush. They did a wonderful job of selling the school, and my assistants did a great job of locating talent.”
Eaves added more height to his lineup for next season with 6-foot-10 Louis Craft out of Fayetteville, N.C. Craft averaged 12.0 points and 12.0 rebounds last season. Eaves signed three players of taller than 6-7 last season.
“He’s another big body we can throw into the lineup,’’ said Eaves. “He comes from a good program there at Jack Britt. I think they had another player go Division I, so he’s going to add to our interior strength and we expect him to have a big year at Jack Britt.”
After landing another big man, the Aggies went after their replacements for senior guards Ewing, Rush and Angelo Hernandez.
Nic Simpson is a combo guard out of Ft. Thomas, Ky. He averaged 15.0 points and 3.3 assists per game as a junior. Eaves said he likes his ability to take opponents off the dribble.
“He’ll probably the best one-on-one guard I’ve signed since I’ve been here,’’ said Eaves. “He can shoot the ‘J’ and is truly a change of pace guard who can create his own shot.”
Marc Hill is from the same hometown as a recent Aggie standout. Like, All-MEAC forward Jason Wills, Hill is from Upper Marlboro, Md. Hill, a 5-9 point guard, averaged 11.5 points and 5.0 assists per game as a junior.
“He’s truly a one-man fastbreak,’’ said Eaves. “He’s lightning. He can push the ball, create for others and shoot the jump shot. He is everything you want in a point guard. And you can see that he understands the game.”
The only junior college transfer Eaves brought in is 6-2 shooting guard Dwane Joshua. Joshua plays at Florida Community College in Jacksonville. Joshua is a shooter. So far this season, he is averaging 18.0 points and shooting 50 percent from 3-point range. He is also a 81 percent free throw shooter.
“His numbers speak for themselves,’’ said Eaves. He can flat out shoot the basketball. He is what I call a high-powered guard.”