2008-09 Recruits

Alaska Anchorage

D-I Transfers Wayne, Walker Join UAA (9/4/08)

Alaska Anchorage has added a pair of former Division I players to its 2008-09 roster. Guards Paul Wayne and Brandon Walker have joined the Seawolves. Wayne will be a senior and Walker a sophomore.

Wayne (6-1, 165) played in 20 games, including eight starting assignments, for Cal State Northridge last season. He averaged 4.6 points per game and was second on the Matadors in both assists (2.6 apg) and steals (1.5 spg), shooting 83 percent from the free throw line.

The Washington, D.C. (Dunbar HS) native played his sophomore campaign at traditional junior-college power College of Southern Idaho where he started for a Golden Eagles team that went 30-7 and won the Region 18 co-title. Wayne spent his freshman season at Salt Lake Community College, helping his squad to a 22-8 record with averages of 9.0 ppg, 2.5 apg and 2.0 spg.

“We are excited to have Paul join the Seawolves,” UAA coach Rusty Osborne said. “He is a tremendous defender who can disrupt an opponent's offense by himself. Offensively, he can push the ball and make great decisions. His quickness will allow him to create for the rest of the team. Paul's biggest asset is he is a winner – he has been on teams that have a combined record of 72-25 in his three years.”

Walker (6-3, 195) played his freshman season at Loyola Marymount in 2007-08, where he averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds while seeing action in all 28 games. As a prep standout, the Hayward , Calif., native led Bishop O'Dowd High School to two NorCal championships and three conference titles in four years.

Walker was the second-leading scorer (17 ppg) in the Hayward Athletic League as a senior in 2006-07, earning league MVP honors.

“Brandon Walker is a tremendous addition to our team,” Osborne said. “He is a very versatile, strong and tireless worker. With three years left, we expect Brandon to leave a big mark on Seawolf basketball. In addition to his basketball ability, Brandon brings outstanding character and leadership skills. After a year of experience at LMU, we expect him to make big contributions for us this season.”

Two Australians Join UAA For 2008-09 Season

A pair of Australians have been added to the University of Alaska Anchorage's rosters for the 2008-09 season. Both players - junior guard/forward Chris Neal and freshman guard Steve White - hail from Sydney .

Neal (6-5, 210) has transferred to UAA after a pair of seasons at NAIA San Diego Christian College , where he averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 2007-08. He also shot .406 (54 of 133) from three-point range and .800 (64 of 80) from the free throw line as a sophomore, putting up high games of 38 points against Vanguard and 31 points against Azusa Pacific.

As a freshman at SDCC, he teamed with current UAA teammate Jeremiah Trueman on the Hawks' Golden State Athletic Conference championship team.

“Chris Neal is coming off a terrific sophomore year and is a very big piece of our puzzle for this season,” said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne , whose Seawolves are coming off a 29-6 season and a trip to the NCAA Div. II semifinals.

“He can play multiple positions, having played shooting guard, small forward and power forward during his first two years. Chris gives us a lot of versatility, and his ability to move and shoot the ball will fit in perfectly with our offensive system.”

White, 6-0, 195, enjoyed an outstanding high school career that saw him average 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists as a senior at Scots College . He also averaged 19.5 points as a junior and helped his school to New South Wales Combined Independent League titles in 2006 and 2007, plus three straight GPS Conference titles from 2005-07. He is the brother of UAA sophomore guard Kevin White.

“We are excited about the addition of Steve White to our backcourt,” Osborne said. “We feel once he adjusts to the college game, he will be very successful. How quickly he adapts will be the key, but we feel fortunate to have him for the next four years.”

The Australians become the third and fourth newcomers to join the UAA roster this season, along with junior guard Darren Nye (Corning , Calif. /College of the Redwoods) and junior forward Casey Robinson (Manila , Utah /Eastern Wyoming College).

UAA Adds Two JC Players to 2008-09 Squad (5/21/08)

Guard Darren Nye and forward Casey Robinson have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Nye (6-1, 175, Jr., Corning, CA) was an All-Golden Valley Conference first-team selection as a sophomore, averaging 16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Calif.

His school's all-time assists leader, Nye shot 49 percent from the field, 43 percent on three-pointers and 85 percent from the free throw line. He was an honorable mention all-league pick as a freshman, averaging 10.0 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds.

Nye was a multi-sport high school star at Corning where he was an All-Northern Athletic League performer as both a junior and senior in basketball, and quarterbacked CHS's football team.

“Darren is a multi-dimensional point guard who has shown he can score, but also distribute the ball effectively,” said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne.

“Obviously point guard is a ‘high-need' position for us after losing an All-American and our primary back-up. We feel Darren can fill that role very well.”

Robinson (6-6, 225, Manila, UT) averaged 17.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as a sophomore at Eastern Wyoming College in 2007-08, earning All-Region IX honors. He shot 44 percent overall, 42 percent (82-197) from three-point range and 81 percent (142-176) from the free throw line.

The versatile big man helped the Lancers to a 24-12 record and the NJCAA Region IX championship, putting up a season-high of 37 points against second-ranked College of Southern Idaho during the regular season. Robinson was the second-leading scorer at the NJCAA National Tournament, totaling 52 points (10-20 3FG, 14-14 FT) and six blocks in EWC's two games.

“Casey is a perfect fit for our system,” Osborne said. “He is a tremendous shooter but can also post up and get fouled as evidenced by his number of free throw attempts last year. As we replaced our graduating seniors, it was important to bring in mature, seasoned players who are ready to play at a high level. Casey fits all the criteria, both on and off the court.”

Robinson was a decorated prep player in his hometown of Manila (pop. 300) leading his team to Class 1A state titles as a junior (2005) and sophomore (2004). As a senior at MHS, he averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per game, earning first team All-State accolades from both the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret Morning News .

Alaska Fairbanks

Nanooks Add Three More Players (5/16/08)

Mason King of Naknek, Tony Wilson of Anchorage, and Kyle Rische of Norwalk, Conn. have signed letters to play basketball at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

A 6-0 guard, King comes to Alaska after four successful seasons for Bristol Bay High School, having helped the Angels to two Peninsula Conference championships in the past two seasons.

Named the small-schools Player-of-the-Year by the Anchorage Daily-News in his senior season, King led Bristol Bay to a spot in the championship game of the 2A State tournament by putting up 99 points over three games, including a 44-point performance in the team's 71-70 semifinal victory over Point Hope.

His heroics in the tournament earned him a spot in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd segment, and marked the third straight season which King led all scorers at all the 2A state tournament.

King rounded off a well-decorated high school career by earning the state's 2A boys MVP honor in 2008. He also received all-state honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons, and earned two 2A regional MVP awards as well.

Wilson is a 6-5 guard from East Anchorage High School. Prior to his 2003 graduation, Wilson averaged 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game in his senior season, and 12 points and eight rebounds a game in his junior year with the Thunderbirds.

After leaving East Anchorage, Wilson played two seasons (2002-2004) at Yakima Valley Community College
averaging five points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Rische joins the Nanooks after two seasons at Yuba College in Marysville, Calif. A 6-7 forward, Rische exploded onto the college basketball scene after his athleticism was featured on ESPN's City Slam dunk competitions, where he qualified for the 2006 semi-finals by winning the St. Louis regional contest.

Rische set a Yuba College record for blocks in a game, turning away 13 shots in 28 minutes against Merritt College during his freshman season. He has helped the 49ers to a 59-12 records in his two seasons at the junior college, leading the team to the California Community College Elite Eight both years. Last season he averaged 5.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game.

Nanooks Add JC, Prep Standouts From Washington (4/22/08)

Washington products Emmanuel Jenkins and Evan Matteson have signed national letters of intent to play basketball at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Jenkins, a 6-0 guard, played last season at Tacoma CC and led the NWAACC in scoring averaging 25.3 points per game. He also averaged 5.6 assists per game and 5.0 rebounds per game in claiming the team Most Valuable Player award at Tacoma.

“All starting positions are going to be open, but right now, I think the point guard position is Emmanuel’s to lose,” second-year UAF coach Clemon Johnson said. “Emmanuel is not cat quick, but cheetah quick. He is Ferrari quick. He passes the ball well and he also scores from various positions: using his feet and speed to get to the basket as well as three-point range jump shots. On the defensive end, he is stellar. He is an all-around player, and the only thing I can see keeping him out of the NBA is his height.”

Prior to joining the Titans, Jenkins spent the 2006-07 season at Portland State, appearing in all 32 of the team games in his freshman year, including one start. He contributed 2.8 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 rebounds per game in helping the Vikings to a 19-win season.

“Emmanuel is a true point guard, and will bring experience and leadership to that position.” Johnson said. “When he came up on his visit, I talked to him about sliding over to the two since he shot the ball so well, but he told me he had spent years perfecting his skills at the point guard position.”

A 2006 graduate of Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, Jenkins played two years of basketball, averaging 19.2 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in his senior seasons with the Cardinals. He captained the team to a 21-6 overall record in the 2005-06 season, and was named to the All-Seamount League first team.

A McDonald's All-American Nominee, Jenkins took home MVP honors in the all-state game, contributing 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to the Seamount 3A team.

The 6-10 Matteson spent the last four seasons playing center for Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, helping the Mavericks to a 23-6 record and a berth at the state tournament. The brother of current Nanook Colin Matteson, he received team defensive MVP honors and was named to the All-Western Conference South Division Honorable Mention team in his senior season. Matteson also set a conference record with 127 blocked shots in his 2007-08 season.

“Evan is our future: he is the building block that I am looking for,” Johnson said. “He is going to lead the 2008-09 freshman class. He is still raw, but I do see him getting significant minutes for us this year, and he will certainly have an opportunity to fight for a starting position. The biggest thing for Evan this year is I want the guys in front of him to teach him how to play collegiate basketball.”

Central Washington

Wildcats Add NWAACC West Region MVP (5/27/08)

Chris Scott, a 5-foot-8 point guard from Las Vegas, Nev., has declared his intention to continue his college basketball career at Central Washington University starting in the 2008-09 season.

Scott played the past two seasons at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Wash., earning Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) West Region Most Valuable Player honors as a sophomore this past season. He led the NWAACC with 9.5 assists per game while also ranking among the league leaders in steals while playing for head coach (and former Wildcat guard) Marc Callero and the Clippers.

"Chris provides us with a true playmaker at the point guard position," Sparling said. "He is a winner and a quality student-athlete on and off the court. He has a very high basketball IQ and should thrive in our up-tempo system both offensively and defensively. He is also very good defensively at anticipating (the basketball)."

Prior to his career at South Puget Sound, Scott had a standout prep career at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, where he earned first team all-division and second team all-conference honors. While playing for the Bengals, he was also nominated for McDonald's All-American honors and led the state of Nevada in assists.

Scott is the fourth student-athlete to declare their intentions to join the Wildcats this winter. Previous signees include forward Chris Sprinker (University Place, Wash./Tacoma CC) and guards Shane Miller (Moscow, Idaho/Treasure Valley CC) and Jon Clift (Spokane, Wash./CC of Spokane).

Wildcats Sign Point Guard From Spokane CC (5/8/08)

Jon Clift, a point guard from the Community Colleges of Spokane, has declared his intention to continue his collegiate basketball career at Central Washington University.

Clift spent the past two seasons as the point guard at Spokane, playing for former CWU assistant coach Mike Burns in 2007-08. He earned second team East Region honors, helping the Sasquatch to a 30-2 overall record and a second-place finish at the NWAACC tournament.

"Jon is very smart and hard-working point guard," Sparling said, "who has proven himself at the junior college level. He will add depth to the point guard position and he has been a very successful player throughout his career -- both at the high school and junior college levels. And overall, Jon is a quality student-athlete."

Clift, whose older brother Marcus starred for two seasons at GNAC rival Northwest Nazarene, averaged 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a sophomore this past winter for the Sasquatch. As a freshman in 2006-07, he started all 29 games at point guard, averaging 11.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while totaling 98 assists and 63 steals.

Over the course of his two seasons at CCS, the Sasquatch posted a combined 43-18 record. A two-year letterman at Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Clift was a member of Saxon teams that went a combined 45-11 with two Class 4A state tournament appearances in two seasons under head coach Don Van Lierop.

His prep accolades included first team all-Greater Spokane League honors, honorable mention all-state, and second team all-WIAA Class 4A state tournament.

Clift averaged 17 points, four assists, and 2.5 steals per game during his senior season at Ferris, with his top performance including 27 points and 10 assists against Spokane's East Valley High School.

Also an academic standout, Clift was named to the NWAACC Men's Basketball Academic Team with a 3.63 grade-point average. He plans to major in accounting at CWU.

Treasure Valley CC Guard To Play For Wildcats (4/21/07)

Shane Miller, an all-region guard from Treasure Valley Community College, will continue his collegiate basketball career at Central Washington University.

A 6-foot-4 guard and native of Moscow, Idaho, Miller averaged 20.3 points per game for the Chukars en route to first team NWAACC East Region honors. He ranked eighth in the NWAACC in scoring and was also among the conference leaders in three-pointers and free throws.

"We are excited to add a quality student-athlete like Shane to our program," CWU coach Sparling said. "We like Shane's ability to shoot the three and to get to the free throw line. He will also help us immensely on the defensive end, and we truly like his length and how hard he plays. An added bonus for us is the fact that he has three years remaining, which is something that will help us balance our classes out."

Miller starred during his prep career at Moscow High School - the same school that produced current Wildcat guard Matt Penoncello. While playing for the Bears, Miller was the Inland Empire League Player of the Year as a senior in 2006-07 and was also chosen as the top prep player in Northern Idaho following his final high school season.

Wildcats Add Tacoma CC Standout Chris Sprinkler (4/18/08)

Chris Sprinker, a standout from Tacoma Community College last winter, will transfer to Central Washington and play basketball for the Wildcats this coming season.

The 6-foot-9 forward, who originally hails from University Place, averaged 17.2 points per game while leading the NWAACC in rebounding (11.5 rebounds per game) and ranking among the conference leaders in blocked shots (2.4 per game).

"Chris brings athleticism, shot-blocking, scoring, and rebounding abilities," Sparling said. "His addition allows us to move Jake (Beitinger) back to his natural position as a four (forward), although everybody will play both on the perimeter and on the inside."

Sprinker prepped at Curtis High School in University Place. He then redshirted his freshman season at Division I Eastern Washington University in 2006-07 before transferring to TCC, and he will have three years of eligibility remaining.

"By adding a player of Chris' caliber, our program now has the potential to have a very special and talented front line," Sprarling said. "We are very excited to have another quality student-athlete join our program -- both on the basketball court and in the law and justice program where Chris plans to study."

Montana State Billings

Yellowjackets Add Transfer from Western Oklahoma State (8/28/08)

Guard Mario Burns is the latest recruit to ink with Montana State University Billings for the 2008-09 basketball season.

“Mario gives us one of the quickest guys on the court night in and night out,” MSUB coach George Pfeifer said. “He is older so we need him to utilize his past experiences and basketball successes with this year's program.”

Burns graduated from Mojave High School in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2000 and is a 6-0 point guard. He played his first year of junior college at Feather River Junior College in Quincy, Calif., in 2004-05. There he averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists per game. He was named to the Golden West Conference All-Defensive team and was a Golden West all-conference selection.

Burns then transferred to Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, Okla., for the 2006-07 season where he continued his impressive play. Burns averaged 13.8 points and 7.6 assists per game for a team that went 21-10 after winning just six games the previous season. Burns also torched the nets as he shot 48 percent from the field.

MSUB Adds Another Division I Recruit (7/29/08)

Montana State Billings coach George Pfeifer has signed his second ex-Division I player - former University of Wyoming reserve Travis Bunker. Earlier Mike Hall from the University of Idaho elected to transfer to MSUB.

“Travis is a really nice player who can do a lot of things at both ends of the court and will give us a mature leader,” Pfeifer said.

Bunker, a native of Beaver, Utah, is a 6-6, 210-pound senior wing. He comes to MSUB after one year at Wyoming and also played at College of Southern Idaho and Dixie State College.

Last season at Wyoming, Bunker played in 27 games and started three for the Cowboys. He had a career-high nine points, six rebounds and five assists against Chadron State on New Year's Eve.

Prior to Wyoming, Bunker played for the College of Southern Idaho for his sophomore year. He was a team captain on a team that posted a 30-7 record and advanced to the National Semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament. He played in 18 games for CSI, suffered a stress fracture in his foot that limited his playing time.

“I had the pleasure to witness Travis play at the NJCAA Tournament while he was at CSI,” Pfeifer added. “The tournament was his first appearance after his injury and about five minutes into the opening round game, every coach in the arena was flipping through their media guide as he was making shot after shot. I know from that tournament alone that he got a half dozen Division I offers.”

Bunker averaged 6.9 points and 5.9 rebounds at CSI and was offered scholarships to Portland State, Weber State, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, Brigham Young and Utah, among others.

As a freshman at Dixie State College, Bunker averaged 9.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists as DSC posted a 21-12 record and captured its region championship.

Prior to Dixie State, Bunker redshirted at Snow College and then went on his Mission to South Korea and played the last year that Dixie State was a junior college before transferring to College of Southern Idaho.

Bunker attended Beaver High School in Beaver, Utah, where he led the team to a 22-3 record and the 2A State Championship his senior year. He was named the Utah 2A Player of the Year as a senior and averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a senior that year.

Yellowjackets Add University of Idaho Transfer (7/14/08)

Former University of Idaho standout Mike Hall has signed to play basketball this winter at Montana State University Billings.

“Mike is a great addition to our program,” MSUB first-year coach George Pfeifer said. “He has performed on large stages in big games throughout his career and not just performed well he has had amazing nights. He is not a volume shooter, his shooting accuracy speaks to shot selection.”

Hall, a native of Troy, Ohio, played one season for Pfeifer at Idaho after transferring from Lon Morris College. At Idaho, Hall finished third on the team in scoring at 9.6 points per game. He played in 27 games and started 24 for the Vandals. He was third in conference play in the Western Athletic Conference in three-point shots made with 50 and ranked fourth overall in percentage at 43.9 and shot 91 percent from the line on 34 of 37.

Hall led the Vandals in scoring four times last season, including a 29-point performance against San Jose State where he went 10 for 11 from the field and 9 of 10 from beyond the arc. That performance was a single game Idaho record and ranked him second overall for three-point shooting accuracy.

“In our game verse Arizona State prior to open of conference play at Idaho, Mike scored 18 points,” Pfeifer added. “That was his breakout game. He scored in double-digits in 12 of the next 16 games. Words can't express my joy in reuniting with him. I have high expectations for what Mike can contribute next season.”

Prior to Idaho, Hall played at two junior colleges. At Lon Morris College, he helped lead the team to a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. He earned all-tournament honors averaging 18.8 points per game. During the tournament, he shot 19 of 42 from beyond the arc (.452), including an opening round performance of 9 of 12.

Prior to Lon Morris, Hall played at Cincinnati State Tech where he earned Freshman of the Year honors. He averaged 17.3 points and 3.4 assists per game for the Surge. He was an Ohio Community College Athletic Conference first team selection and he helped led the team to a fifth place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. Hall led the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) hitting 82 of 133 (.609) 3-pointers that year.

Weisz Transfers From Dawson CC (7/10/08)

Adam Weisz from Dawson Community College will play basketball this winter for Montana State Billings.

“We are very excited that Adam is joining the Yellowjacket basketball program,” first-year coach George Pfeifer said.

“He will bring us a hardnosed, competitive style of play day in and day out. His numerous academic accolades speak volumes toward the character and resolve which transfers from the classroom to the court. He comes from a veteran coach in Don Mast so he has been well schooled the past couple of years.”

Weisz, a six-foot guard from Melstone, Mont., was Dawson's team captain last season when he averaged seven points and two assists per game. Weisz shot 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from beyond the arc and 70 percent from the line as he helped lead the team to a 20-10 record.

At Melstone High School, Weisz averaged 24 points and four assists as a senior as he helped lead the team to the Class C State Championship with a 25-1 record. He was named Most Valuable Player for the state tournament and was an all-conference and all-state selection, as well as being named to the Great Falls Tribune Super-State Team.

Pfeifer Signs First Recruit (7/8/08)

New Montana State University Billings coach George Pfeifer has signed his first recruit. Western Oklohoma State transfer Derrick Wright will play for the Yellowjackets next season

“Derrick is a versatile player,” Pfeifer said. “He can do work with his back to the basket, and can face up on the perimeter. For his size, he has the ability to handle the ball very well. We are looking for him to impact our program right away.”

Wright, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native is a 6-6 power forward and played the last two years at Western Oklahoma State College where he averaged 13.9 points per game and shot 50 percent from the field for the Pioneers.

Wright prepped at Brooklyn One A High School where he averaged 15 points per game and seven rebounds per game. He was ranked in Jerry Mullen's top JUCO report and received interest from St. Francis College (NY), Middle Tennessee and Duquesne University this past spring.

Montana Class A MVP Signs With MSU Billings (5/8/08)

Darrel John (DJ) Fish has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the Yellowjackets. Fish, a native of Browning, Mont., is a 6-5 forward who was named Montana Most Valuable Player in Class A for the 2007-08 season. He helped lead the Runnin' Indian basketball team to the state title as well.

His other accolades include being named Super State from 2006-2008 and earned all-conference honors from 2005-2008. In addition to playing basketball, Fish was an all-state cross country runner in 2007-08 and earned academic all-state in cross country as well. He was the number one runner on the team, too.

Fish is the fourth signee for the 2008-09 season as he joins Ryan Meehan of Beaverton, Ore., and Lance Anderson and Brad Hodge of Grays Harbor College.

MSUB Adds Another Player From Grays Harbor (5/7/08)

Brad Hodge, a 6-9 forward from Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Wash., has signed a national letter of intent with Montana State Billings.

“Brad will bring some tremendous offensive and defensive skills to the program immediately,” MSUB athletic director Dr. Gary Gray said. “He can rebound, shoot inside, shoot outside, and play tough defense. As a 6-9 player, he will show and immediate presence on the court."

Hodge, a native of Hillsboro, Ore., played with Yellowjacket signee Lance Anderson at Grays Harbor. Hodge helped lead the Chokers to an 18-12 record last season. He averaged 7.4 rebounds per game which was good for 18th in the NWAACC. In addition, he had 144 defensive rebounds, which ranked second.

Prior to attending Grays Harbor, Hodge redshirted at Salt Lake Community College and prepped at Hillsboro High School where he helped lead the team to a runner-up finish in state in 2002-03. He was tabbed second team all-metro in 2003-04 and was named to the LSI all-tournament team and first team all-metro in 2004-05. Hodge ranks sixth in scoring all-time in Oregon.

Yellowjackets Add Second Recruit (4/30/08)

Lance Anderson has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball with Montana State University Billings.

“I am very pleased Lance has decided to transfer to MSUB and become a Yellowjacket,” MSUB athletic director Dr. Gary Gray said. “He will bring great experience to our basketball program. Lance comes to us from an excellent junior college program, and he will fit in well with our current roster and our campus.”

Anderson, a native of Menlo, Wash., has spent the last two years at Grays Harbor Community College in Aberdeen, Wash., and helped the Chokers to an 18-12 record this past season.

He prepped at Willapa Valley High School, where he averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks a game his senior year. There, he participated in basketball, football and track earning numerous accolades.

An all-league selection in basketball his junior year and a first team all-league selection his senior year as well as participating in the WIBCA All-State game as well during his senior campaign highlighted his accomplishments. Willapa Valley was district champions his sophomore and junior years, as well as a second-place finish in the state tournament as a junior.

In addition to high school basketball, Anderson played for the Emerald City League AAU team as well.

Yellowjackets Sign Beaverton Standout (4/29/08)

Beaverton, Ore., native, Ryan Meehan, has signed a national letter of intent to play men's basketball at Montana State Billings.

Meehan, a 6-3 wing, played his high school basketball at Beaverton High School where he averaged 20 points, six rebounds and four assists as a junior and followed that up with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists as a senior.

He was named team Most Valuable Player his junior and senior seasons, as well as being named second team all-metro 6A as a junior and first team as a senior. In addition, Meehan was a McDonald's All-American state nominee in 2008.

Northwest Nazarene

David Reeher signs with NNU (11/15/07)

David Reeher, a 6-9 forward from Crook County High School in Prineville, Ore., has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NNU and play basketball for the Crusaders.

"We are very excited to have David as part of our program here at NNU,” NNU coach Tim Hills said. "With his size, athleticism, and touch he has the potential to be an impact player in our conference. We have been fortunate enough the past two years to sign some quality high school prospects and we can add David to that list."

Reeher was a second-team Oregon all-state selection and a first-team all-Intermountain Conference pick last season as a junior.

On the court, David averaged 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season, while off the court he carries a 3.63 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Western Oregon

Former Viking To Play For Western Oregon (7/7/08)

Forward Gabe Thrash (6-8, 225, Jr.), who began his career at Western Washington, will transfer to Western Oregon this fall to play basketball for the Wolves. Thrash played at Bakersfield College this past year after spending his frosh season at WWU.

A native of Gardena , Calif. , he helped Gardena High School to a city championship during his junior season and he was a first team All-Marine League pick as a senior.

“We are excited to have an outstanding student-athlete like Gabe,” Stanger said. “He is a tremendous athlete with a great work ethic that brings us depth at the post position.”

Wolves Add Two Players To Recruiting Class (5/21/08)

Junction City's Blair Wheadon and McCall, Idaho's Marcus Harris have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for Western Oregon University.

They join previous 2008 signees Kyle Long (McMinnville) and Kolton Nelson (Klamath Falls/Mazama HS) as new members of the Wolves program.

Wheadon, a 6-1 combo guard, was a first team all-state selection (4A) at Junction City this year. He was the Sky-Em League Player of the Year, averaging 22 points a game for the Tigers. He set school records for most points, field goals and free throws in a season, and will play in the OACA Gatorade All-Star game.

“Blair is a very versatile player, and has an excellent knowledge of the game,” WOU coach Craig Stanger said. “We are really excited to have him in our program. He is a great competitor. We are looking for better scoring on the perimeter, and he helps us with that goal.”

Harris is a 6-0 shooting guard from McCall-Donnelly High School . Originally from North Kitsap High School (Washington), Harris played his last two seasons in Idaho .

“We felt like Marcus kinda flew under the recruiting radar,” Stanger said. “He is a very good scorer, has a great ability to get off his shot, but he is also a team player. He is also a very smart player.”

Harris averaged 21 points a game and was the Snake River Valley Conference Player of the Year. He was an all-state pick and has been chosen to the Boise Flite Select team. He nailed 52 three-pointers this season, and hit for a school-record 45 points in one game.

“With our returning point guard Dane Johnson, who runs the transition game so well, we wanted to get quicker and better on the perimeter,” Stanger added. “These two guys and also Kyle Long fit the bill to make us better in that area.”

Wolves Sign Freshmen From Klamath Falls, McMinnville (5/8/08)

Two players - Kolton Nelson from Mazuma High School in Klamath Falls and McMinnville's Kyle Long - have signed national letters-of-intent to play basketball at Western Oregon University.

Nelson is a 6-8, 260 pound center, while Long is a 6-3, 175 pound guard.

"These are good team guys, players that will work hard and fit right in with our team's work ethic," WOU coach Craig Stagner saif. "I am really pleased with the level of play that they guys bring to us."

Nelson ranks sixth on Mazama's all-time scoring list with nearly 800 career points. He led the Southern Sky Conference this past winter in scoring with a 20.2 average and nearly 10 rebounds a game and was named the Most Valuable Player of the SSC. He also ranked third in the state (5A) in scoring.

Nelson had at least eight blocked shots in a game on numerous occasions, and he tallied 188 career blocks in just two seasons at Mazama. "Kolton has tremendous opportunity for growth," Stanger said. "He is smart, uses his body well and is a disaplined post player. We feel like his best basketball is ahead of him."

Long was a two-time All-Pacific Conference selection at McMinnville. A three-year starter, Long led the Grizzlies all three seasons in assists and paced his team in scoring the past two campaigns. He finished his prep career in third place on McMinnville's all-time scoring list and he is fifth in assists.

Long averaged 21.3 points per game this season, fifth best in the state at the 6A level. He will play in the Northwest Shootout all-star game and the Gatorade-OACA All-Star Basketball Classic.

"Kyle is a very good team player who can shoot and pass equally well," Stanger explained. "He understands the game, and he can help us right away at either guard spot."

Western Washington

Vikings Sign Alaska Player-of-the-Year (5/28/08)

Forward Cameron Severson, who was the 2007 Class 3A Player of the Year and scored 1,684 career points at Petersburg (Alaska) High School, has signed a scholarship agreement to play for Western Washington University.

The 6-foot-4 Severson was a three-time Alaska all-State choice, earning first-team honors as a junior and senior and second-team recognition as a sophomore. A three-time, first-team Region V all-conference choice, he averaged 21.0 points, 10.0 points, 4.5 assists, 2.4 blocks and 1.8 steals as a senior on a 21-5 team that won a third straight league title and placed fourth at state.

Petersburg also won the Region V Crossover game between the 3A small and 4A large school champions, the first time in the contest's 24-year history that it had been accomplished on the large school's home floor.

Severson, who scored a career-high 37 points against Craig, was a three-time state all-tournament pick.

The state's POY as a junior, Severson led Petersburg to a 25-3 record and the state championship, scoring 31 points versus Eielson in the title game. That season he averaged 20.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.0 blocks.

Severson was a second-team all-state pick as a sophomore on a 21-7 team that finished fifth at state.

Vikings Sign Australian Seven-Footer (5/9/08)

Seven-foot center Dave Vanderjagt, who played the last two years at NCAA Division I University of Montana, has signed a scholarship agreement to play men's basketball at Western Washington University .

A junior from Townsville, Australia , the 245-pound Vanderjagt saw action in 13 games for the Grizzlies last season. He averaged 1.1 points and 1.3 rebounds, shooting 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from the field. His best game came against Sacramento State on Feb. 14 when he had eight points on 4-of-5 floor accuracy and six rebounds.

Vanderjagt, who wears size 17 shoes, is believed to be the first 7-footer to play for Western.

The 21-year-old Vanderjagt was a premier player at Townsville State High School and was one of 15 players selected to compete for the All-Australia team.

He played on the 2004 Australian U-19 Youth Olympic team, which won a gold medal, and competed on a Queensland team that won a state championship in the U-18 Australian Country Basketball Cup.

Vanderjagt's sister, Rebecca, plays basketball at the University of Wyoming. His brother, Greg , competes in the National Basketball League in Australia as did their father, Ron.

Vikings Add NWAACC All-Star From Highline (11/25/07)

Morris Anderson, who is currently attending Highline CC, has signed a national letter of intent to to play basketball at Western Washington University.

A 6-foot-3 guard, Anderson was a first-team NWAACC Western Division all-star as a sophomore at Highline CC last season. He averaged 14.0 points in helping the Thunderbirds to a 21-9 record, the region co-championship and the quarterfinals at the NWAACC tournament.

There they lost to eventual champion Clackamas CC in double overtime, 85-84, as Anderson earned second-team all-tournament recognition. As a freshman at HCC, Anderson played on a 23-7 squad that won the NWAACC championship.

A McDonald's All-America nominee as a senior at Federal Way High School , Anderson was a first-team Federal Way News all-City and all-South Puget Sound League selection. He was co-MVP of a team that tied for the SPSL title, averaging 15.0 points and shooting 52.0 percent from three-point range.

2008-09 Recruits

D-I Transfers Wayne, Walker Join UAA (9/4/08)

Previous Recruits