07-13-2004, 06:10 PM
From Inside Carolina
Quote:FLORIDA STATE
GETTING INSIDE
Florida State put its money where Leonard Hamilton's mouth is.
Hamilton is convinced he can turn the football powerhouse into a basketball school, too, and the FSU administration is buying it -- as well they should. The long-suffering Seminoles were 19-14 last year and advanced to the second round of the NIT, their first postseason appearance since 1998.
The 'Noles were 14-15 in Hamilton's first season and he'll have many more seasons, thanks to a three-year extension awarded by athletic director Dave Hart in May.
The contract boosts Hamilton's base pay from $144,899 to $152,144, and extends his stay through the 2009-2010 season.
NOTES, QUOTES
PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Associate head coach Stan Jones was named one of the nation's top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com, and with good reason. Jones played an integral part in FSU luring All-ACC guard Tim Pickett two years ago and in landing highly-touted Alexander Johnson and Von Wafer last year as part of the nation's top-rated recruiting class.
The 'Noles had another great haul this year, including Antonio Griffin, who originally signed in 2003 but did not enroll. He went on to star at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College.
With recruiting like this, the Seminoles will continue to work their way up through the ranks of the tough ACC.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We believe FSU can achieve at the very highest level of college basketball and we're glad to have ample time to continue to reach our goals." -- Coach Leonard Hamilton on the contract extension.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
KEY RECRUITS AND TRANSFERS: Forward Antonio Griffin -- The explosive 6-6 Griffin averaged 16 points and 7.4 rebounds last year at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, and was ranked among the Top 25 junior college prospects by several services.
Guard Ralph Mims -- Originally from Pensacola, the 6-3 Mims, a true combo guard, was one of the top prep players in Maine history at Brunswick High School.
Guard Jason Rich -- A 6-3 product of Dr. Phillips High in Orlando, Rich is rated one of the top shooting guard prospects in the country.
Guard Isaiah Swann -- The 6-1 guard prepped last year at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy and was rated among the top shooting guards coming out this year. FSU is hoping he can help replace Tim Pickett's firepower.
INJURY IMPACT: Redshirt junior Andrew Wilson started the last 17 games last year, playing in 32 contests. He had played in just seven games the previous two years, sitting out 2000-01 with a knee injury and 2001-02 with a wrist injury. The 6-6 swingman averaged 5.1 points per game in those last 17 games, helping the Seminoles to wins over three nationally ranked teams, including his career-high 24 points against North Carolina.