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http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/sports/m...07aaa.html

Men's Basketball Signs Junior College All-American
Gary Wilkinson will have two years of eligibility with Utah State.


April 11, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - For the second time in the last three years Utah State's men's basketball team will welcome a junior college All-American to its program as coach Stew Morrill announced Wednesday the signing of Gary Wilkinson (South Jordan, Utah) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Aggies beginning in the 2007-08 season.

Wilkinson, a 6-9, 240-pound forward, just completed his sophomore season at Salt Lake Community College and will have two years of eligibility with Utah State. He joins former Aggie Chaz Spicer (Indianapolis, Ind.,) as junior college All-American's who have signed with Utah State under Morrill.

"Gary is an important addition to our basketball program," said Morrill. "His size and ability will give us more firepower at our post positions. He possesses great hands and excellent touch and is a mature young man. Gary has been very well coached in junior college and we are delighted to welcome him and his wife Jessica to our Utah State family."

As a sophomore at Salt Lake Community College, Wilkinson earned National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Honorable Mention All-American honors as he averaged 18.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and shot 60.2 percent from the field and 74.2 percent from the free throw line. He ranked third in the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) and 38th in the nation in scoring, and was first in the conference in rebounding as he led the Bruins to a 24-9 overall record.

During his sophomore season, Wilkinson scored in double-figures 30 time including a career-high 33 points against the College of Eastern Utah on Jan. 5 as he was 12-of-17 from the field and nine-of-12 from the free throw line. He also posted eight double-doubles on the year and had a season-high 15 rebounds against the College of Southern Idaho on Feb. 17.

"I feel like Utah State is the best program in the state and the best fit for me," said Wilkinson. "I don't think there is a better big-man coach to play for than Coach Morrill and it was an easy choice to make on where I should continue my career. There are a lot of guys returning next year (for Utah State) and I want to come in and work hard and hopefully help the team win."

As a freshman at Salt Lake Community College, Wilkinson earned NJCAA Third-Team All-American honors as he averaged 14.6 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting 61.3 percent from the field and 73.1 percent from the free throw line. He also earned Academic All-American honors as a freshman at Salt Lake Community College.

"Gary is a very skilled basketball player that works hard and has very good hands," said Salt Lake Community College head coach Norm Parrish who led the Bruins to their fifth straight 20-win season this year. "He is very coachable and likes structure so he will do well in Coach Morrill's system."

Wilkinson, who attended Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah, was also recruited by Boise State, Brigham Young, Fresno State, Miami (Fla.), Oregon, San Diego State, San Jose State, Southern Mississippi, Texas Tech, and UNLV.

Still just the two early signees for Nevada, 6'3"' guard, Armon Johnson from Reno and 6'5" wing, Malik Cooke from South Carolina. Both guys are highschool players..

The Pack has one available scholarship left..There probably won't be an announcement until next week on who signs or even if the scholarship will be used at this time.

I believe that Kemp and Sessions will both return. As far as I can determine, Demarshay Johnson is still likely to return as well.

If that all holds the Pack will return 10 players from this year's team plus the 3 new guys..

nvspuds Wrote:Still just the two early signees for Nevada, 6'3"' guard, Armon Johnson from Reno and 6'5" wing, Malik Cooke from South Carolina. Both guys are highschool players..

The Pack has one available scholarship left..There probably won't be an announcement until next week on who signs or even if the scholarship will be used at this time.

I believe that Kemp and Sessions will both return. As far as I can determine, Demarshay Johnson is still likely to return as well.

If that all holds the Pack will return 10 players from this year's team plus the 3 new guys..

Slight correction: Cooke is from North Carolina.

We may not see much activity, with Nevada and Fresno St both announcing they don't expect any immediate signings, La Tech holding a press conference tomorrow, and Hawaii still coach shopping.

However, New Mexico St has inked JayDee Luster 5-9 165 G, Hoover HS, San Diego, CA

Marcus Britt-SG (6'4")
Tamas Cseh-C (7'0") JUCO
Orrin Greer-PG (6'3") JUCO
Orren Tims-SF (6'4")

Committed but not signed:

Zach Parker-PF (6'8")

Word is, one of our former assistants is going to ensure one of our signed guys doesn't make it to campus. My guess is that would be Britt, but I'm not sure. We'll find out before too long I suppose.

This article lists more than the guys rivals listed.

http://www.latechsports.com/article.php?...5_16:52:26

Johnny, those were all early signings, right? I was assuming Tech wouldn't announce any spring signings until after today's press conference. Any speculation about roster turnover with the coaching change(s)?

BTW, here's a good link for tracking signings: Hodge commitment blog

clpack Wrote:Johnny, those were all early signings, right? I was assuming Tech wouldn't announce any spring signings until after today's press conference. Any speculation about roster turnover with the coaching change(s)?

BTW, here's a good link for tracking signings: Hodge commitment blog

If we don't lose Britt, I don't believe we have any spots. I've only heard second hand reports about the players. Most seem excited. I assume Rupp will honor all offers (particularly because he's coming in so late in the game). We're all waiting to see whether or not Malone will be an assistant (meaning he can directly coach the kids AND recruit). The conference is at noon central. We should know a little more then.

San Jose St has signed JC transfer DaShawn Wright 6-2 G, Marshalltown CC, IA

http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/sports/m...07aaa.html

Men's Basketball Inks Junior College Point Guard
Desmond Stephens will enroll at Utah State as a junior.


April 17, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's head men's basketball coach Stew Morrill announced Tuesday the signing of Desmond Stephens (Bloomington, Ind.) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Aggies beginning in the 2007-08 season. The 5-9, 150-pound guard just completed his sophomore season at Southeastern Illinois Junior College in Harrisburg, Ill., and will have two years of eligibility with Utah State.

"The addition of Desmond Stephens to our basketball program is exciting in many ways," said Morrill. "As a point guard he stretches the defense with his shooting ability, he can penetrate and make plays off the dribble, and he brings high character to the floor. Desmond has been well coached and comes from a quality junior college program. He also has been raised by parents who have taught him well and given him the values needed for success."

As a sophomore at Southeastern Illinois, Stephens earned first-team all-region honors as he averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 51.6 percent from three-point range, and 75.2 percent from the free throw line.

During his sophomore season, Stephens scored in double-figures 23 times, including 12 20-point games as he led the Falcons to a 24-6 record. On the year, he scored a season-high 29 points twice, and had a season-high eight assists twice.

"I am really excited about going to Utah State," said Stephens, "and I love winning so it suits me perfectly. I think I will fit in well both academically and on the court, and I want to do whatever I can to help the team win and get to the NCAA Tournament."

Stephens spent his freshman season at Olney Central College in Olney, Ill., where he averaged 12.1 points per game. He prepped at Bloomington South High School in Bloomington, Ind., where he was an Indiana Junior All-Star and a Indiana Top-40 candidate.

"Desmond is a very, very quick point guard who is also a very good shooter," said Southeastern Illinois head coach Todd Franklin. "I think Desmond's ability to shoot the ball really separates himself from the other small point guards in the country. He likes to win and plays extremely hard, so I see no reason why he won't fit in at Utah State."

I guess we're going to get very used to watching small PGs.

2007-08 signings
Lance Olivier 5-3 140, SJSU
JayDee Luster 5-9 160, NMSU
Desmond Stephens 5-9 150, USU

BTW, here's another great web site: CollegeHoopsUpdate.com
They have a ton of information, including rosters that show walk-ons. I don't know how accurate they are overall, but they have Nevada's roster right.

Idaho has signed a JC transfer who may be a good one.
Mike Hall G 6-1 180, Lon Morris CC, TX

Utah State's information on that site is mostly inaccurate.

ejmpalle Wrote:Utah State's information on that site is mostly inaccurate.

Well, you have to admit that USU is harder to keep track of than most with all the players who go on missions. You could send them updates.

Meanwhile, Idaho has signed Jordan Brooks G 6-3 195, Midland CC, TX. Brooks had signed w/Texas A&M out of HS.

And Dominic Waters is transferring from Hawai'i (to Portland St).

Can we compile everyone's roster when signings are completed?

ejmpalle Wrote:Can we compile everyone's roster when signings are completed?

If you do Utah St, Boise St, and Hawai'i, I can do the rest. ;-)

J/K....almost every team has at least a question or two, but it looks like most are pretty close. Hawai'i has a long way to go -- I guess we'll see if they can put a roster together faster than a football schedule -- and Boise has a few spots to fill.

San Jose St signs two more: LINK: Is Nessman actually turning things around?

Clint Amberry PF 6-10 210, Los Alamitos HS, CA
Mac Peterson PG 6-3 175, Diablo Valley CC, CA (3 yr eligibility)

It looks like the odds of Nevada signing a JC PF are decreasing.

link: Wade Knapp signs with Missouri St

I would prefer another freshman anyway..It's possible that Fox will just sit on the last scholly or bring in a D-1 transfer too..

Idaho signs another: Terrance Simmons PG 6-3 170, Connors State College, OK

You gotta give it to UI and SJS...while lacking in quality, they make up for it in quantity. ;-)