Official UAlbany Annoucement

[olddog71]

Here's the official announcement of the four men who signed LOI's this fall. There is no new info, but it is gratifying to see the continual progress in the development of DI basketball at UAlbany.

 

"UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY MEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNS FOUR STUDENT-ATHLETES FOR 2006-07

 

"Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Friday, Nov. 18 that four student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2006-07 academic year. Reid Anderson, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound swingman from Avon Lake, Ohio (Lakewood St. Edward H.S.), Brett Gifford, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound center from Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge H.S.), Michael Knight, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard from Seattle, Wash. (St. Petersburg College), and Mike Yocum, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward from Dresher, Pa. (Episcopal Academy), each made his commitment during the early signing period.

 

"Anderson was named to the 2004-05 Associated Press Division I All-Ohio squad in the honorable mention category. He averaged 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists when he was chosen All-Northeast Lakes District. The Eagles reached the state tournament's regional semifinals and posted a 16-7 record last year. Lakewood St. Edward is expected to be a preseason top-10 team in the state rankings.

 

"Gifford is one of four returning starters on a Rock Bridge High squad that finished 22-5 last season. The Bruins, who compete at the state's Class 5 level, advanced to the district tournament's championship final. Gifford averaged 14.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior.

 

"Knight, who appeared in all 28 games for Maryland-Baltimore County in 2004-05, is currently attending St. Petersburg College in Florida. As a high school senior at Seattle Prep in Washington, Knight was chosen second-team All-Metro after averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He was a member of the All-Metro third team as junior with a 13.8 scoring average.

 

"Yocum was chosen first-team All-InterAc after leading his team to a 25-3 record against a national schedule. He averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds per game. Episcopal Academy won the InterAc championship with a perfect 10-0 mark, plus was the No. 1 ranked team in Southeastern Pennsylvania. His teammates Wayne Ellington (North Carolina) and Gerald Henderson (Duke) have also signed with Division I programs.

 

"'We are very fortunate to complete our recruiting during the early period," Brown said. "I am excited that we have signed four quality student-athletes who address all of our needs. Gifford and Yocum are gifted big kids and should do very well at this level. Knight has already successfully competed in the America East Conference, while Anderson comes from one of the best high school programs in the state of Ohio. Both perimeter players are versatile and can play multiple positions.'

 

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2006-07 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings

 

Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School/Junior College)

 

Reid Anderson, G/F, 6-5, 190, Avon Lake, Ohio (Lakewood St. Edward)

 

Brett Gifford, C, 6-10, 250, Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge)

 

Michael Knight, G, 6-3, 185, Seattle, Wash. (Seattle Prep / St. Petersburg College)

 

Mike Yocum, F, 6-9, 235, Dresher, Pa. (Episcopal Academy)"