Explorer Recruits

                               

2011 Recruiting Class

Jerrell Wright is a 6-7, 240-pound Power Forward from Murrell Dobbins Tech and one of the top players in Philadelphia for the class of 2011. Coach John Giannini and assistants Horace "Pappy" Owens (Dobbins star, Class of 1979) and Harris Adler were at the press conference. Wright was accompanied by his father, Gerald Wright, Dobbins coach William Johnson and his AAU coach Gregory Wright, with Hunting Park. "I've found the school I love and now I can focus on getting ready for the next level" said Wright. He said he made a number of unofficial visits to La Salle and always felt a "special connection." Also, he has already begun to bond with a pair of guards, Neumann-Goretti's Tyreek Duren and Sam Mills, from Florida, who will be freshman members of the Explorers' program this fall. Coach Giannini said that Wright has a great upside and that he'd be a great fit in the La Salle program. Wright chose La Salle over Temple, Saint Joseph's, West Virginia, Drexel and Niagara.

 

2010 Recruits

Cole Stefan is a 6-3, 200-pound Shooting Guard from Minnetonka (Minnesota) HS. He was also a McDonald’s All-American game nominee at Minnetonka High School. Cole is a top-notch free throw shooter and has NBA 3-point range. Cole can dribble penetrate and has become a good defender over the past couple of seasons. “He is an excellent shooter, a good athlete and a smart, unselfish player,” coach John Giannini said. “He comes from a great family and will be a positive addition to our program and the La Salle community.” Cole averaged 19 points per game as a junior and 19.3 ppg as a senior. Stefan was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for Minnetonka, which won the Minnesota State Championship in 2008. He chose La Salle over Auburn, USC, Northern Iowa among others. Sam Mills is a 6-3, 190 pound guard from Cardinal Gibbons High in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mills is ranked as a top 25 guard in the nation by some scouting services. He will begin play for La Salle in the 2010-11 season. This signing makes La Salle (Tyreek Duren joins Mills) and Duke as the only two teams in NCAA to sign two of the top 35 point guards for next season. "Sam is a great addition to our program and is a highly talented guard with a great work ethic and a very impressive academic record. He received recruiting attention from various basketball powers as well as elite academic institutions. He saw an opportunity to make an immediate impact on a talented team at La Salle" said coach Dr. John Giannini. He chose La Salle over Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Marshall, and Tulane among others. Tyreek Duren is a 6-1, 185 pound point guard from Neumann-Goretti High School. Tyreek has improved his all-around game in the past year. Tyreek has added the 3-point shot to his skill set. Duren is a complete offensive player and is very fast on the defensive end. He is a "floor general" who demands a lot from his teammates as he knows how to win. Several scouting services have him ranked in the top 25 nationally for 2010 point guards. He chose La Salle over Temple and UMass. Earl Pettis played at Rutgers for two seasons but was "unhappy" there. Earl is a 6-foot-5 swingman (can play both small forward and shooting guard positions) who was granted his release by Rutgers. Last year he averaged 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 31 games."I want to be a part of the LaSalle program and help it. I think Coach John Giannini cares about his players, and I like his style of play." Matt Lopez, a 6-10 220 lb Center, from Washington Township NJ HS has given a verbal to LaSalle. Lopez averaged 13 points and eight rebounds last season as a junior. "La Salle was there from the beginning, even when I wasn't the best player around," said Lopez. "About 90 percent of the recruitment came from coach Giannini himself while most other schools had an assistant coach recruiting me." There is a possibility that Matt could redshirt to work on muscle development. He lost 80 pounds in the past year and is now working on strength and flexibility. He chose LaSalle over UNC-Greensboro, James Madison, Old Dominion and Delaware among others.

2009 Recruits Dr. John Giannini landed a major big man when 6-11, 265 lb, center Aaric Murray gave his commitment to LaSalle. Murray is a top 10 center in the nation (top 35 overall) from the Class of 2009 according to many of the scouting services. Murray averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks last season at Glen Mills. Murray wanted to stay in Philly and play in front of his friends and family. He is the highest ranked recruit to attend a non-BCS school. "I am so comfortable with La Salle, it is a real good fit for me socially, academically and athletically," said Murray. "Of all the schools that were recruiting me, in my heart, La Salle was it for me. The coaches, the players and the school just made me feel like I belong there." He chose LaSalle over Saint Joe’s, Temple, Villanova, Rutgers, Marquette and West Virginia. Murray signed his LOI. Parrish Grant has accepted a scholarship to attend La Salle University. Grant is a 6-2 point guard who led his high school team (Imhotep Charter ) to the state PIAA Class AA title last season. In fact, Parrish has been a contributor to 3 teams that won state titles during his high school career. "Out of the guys La Salle was checking out, they said they liked me the best and they offered me a scholarship. I took it and I will be starting classes there this fall. I am very happy about this. Very happy." Parrish has both an inside game and has developed good range from beyond the arc. He definitely is looking forward to hitting the weight room and gaining some bulk as he is a thin 175 pounds. T.T. Carey gave a verbal commitment to La Salle University. Carey, a 6-4 high-scoring combo guard, committed to the Explorers one week after taking an official visit. "The players and the coaches and everything was nice up there," Carey said of LaSalle. He also liked the suburban feel of the campus. Carey said he will sign a LOI. Carey led Colonial Beach High School to the Group A, Division 1 state championship this past season. He scored 884 points which is the third-highest single season total (29.5 ppg) in Virginia High School League history. "T.T. will definitely be a very successful person and player at the next level," Colonial Beach head coach Steve Swope said. "All of us from our town wish him nothing but the best. He is carrying the torch for us." Carey finished his high school career with 2,481 points. He also averaged 9.6 rebounds per game this past season.

2008 Recruits 6-8 PF/C Devon White brings a power scoring game and tenacious defense to LaSalle. Devon led Strawberry Mansion HS to the PIAA Class AA championship game against Jeanette HS. White is a shot blocker who also scores near the basket and grabs almost every board. He powered his way to 11.6 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game as a senior. White fills the need of a post presence for the Explorers. He is very athletic and is coachable. He said he never really lifted weights but is willing to do so under the supervision of the Explorer coaching staff. "I knew as soon as I signed this letter that I'd be getting in the weight room at La Salle, looking to get stronger and better" said Devon. White slected La Salle over Nebraska, Robert Morris and Niagara among others. He red-shirted in 2008-09 season.

Terrell Williams

2007 Recruits                                    Terrell Williams, a 6-8 SF has selected La Salle. His older twin brother, Jerrell, also a 6-8 SF has decided to join him at La Salle. Both will play their senior high school season at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA this year. Both were former teammates of Kimmani Barrett at Paterson Catholic. "La Salle was the perfect fit for me," Jerrell said. Both are tough defenders who also like to rebound and run the floor. They are "slasher" type scorers right now but are working on their mid-range shot this year. They both chose La Salle over UMass, Rhode Island, Seton Hall, Marquette and Utah among others.                  Kyle Griffin is a 6-4, 190 pound Guard from Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA. Griffin had officially visited the La Salle campus in late September. Kyle is a sharp shooting combo guard who has great instincts for the game. He chose La Salle over Xavier, Bucknell and Siena among others.

Jerrell Williams

	6-9 junior Vernon Goodridge has transferred to La Salle from Mississippi State and will be eligible to compete for the Explorers beginning with the 2008-09 season. Coach John Giannini added, "he is extremely athletic and can run the court. I expect him to be an elite shot blocker, rebounder and defender. I expect him to have an immediate impact in our program and on the Atlantic 10."
	Darryl Partin, a 6-5 Guard from Charis Prep in Goldsboro NC, has commited to the Explorers. He was a second-team all state guard his senior year at Sanderson high school. He chose the Explorers over Fordham, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Miami and East Carolina among others.

2006 Recruits This is La Salle’s most productive recruiting class in the last 25 years. Top 20 Recruiting Class in the Nation according to some scouting services. Ruben Guillandeaux Ruben Guillandeaux, 6-6 SG/PG, from Saint Patrick's in Elizabeth NJ, completes the 2006 recruiting class. Ruben is an excellent outside shooter who can run the point. Ruben has a great understanding of the game. He is a teammate of Yves Mekomgo-Mbala at Saint Patrick's. Member of NJ State Champion Team. He chose La Salle over USC, Boston College, Providence, Marquette, Seton Hall and Rhode Island. Brian Grimes Brian Grimes, 6-7 F, was a Germantown Academy standout prior to going to prep school at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire this year. Some compare his style similar to that of Steven Smith. Jim Fenerty, the coach at Germantown Academy, said "Brian is one of those guys who is a fierce competitor. He's got a nice shot from 17 feet in. He rebounds real well and he is very athletic." Brian chose La Salle over Boston College, George Washington, Virginia, and Richmond. Yves Mekongo-Mbala Yves Mekongo-Mbala, 6-7 SF, from Saint Patrick's of Elizabeth, NJ (2nd team all-state). He is an outstanding student. Mbala is very athletic and has explosive leaping ability. A great finisher on offense. One of the leaders on NJ State Championship Team. Yves has selected La Salle over Saint Joseph's, Rhode Island, San Francisco, Fairfield and Kent State. Kimmani Barrett Kimmani Barrett, 6-5 G/F, from Paterson Catholic NJ (2nd team all-state) has chosen La Salle. Barrett is the 2005 Herald News Boys Basketball Player of the Year. "I'm a firm believer of go where you are really wanted," Paterson Catholic head coach Tommie Patterson. "They (LaSalle) are not going to define his position. They are going to let him play anywhere from the shooting guard to the small forward. This is great for him because his best attribute is he's so versatile." Kimmani chose LaSalle over Seton Hall, St. John's, DePaul, Marquette and West Virginia. Rodney Green Rodney Green, 6-5 guard, of Prep Charter High School in Philadelphia (1st team all- area and 1st team all-state) has given his commitment to La Salle. Philadelphia Public League Player of the Year. Led Prep Charter to PA Class AA State Championship. As a player, "he's a top-notch finisher," Prep Charter coach Dan Brinkley said. Rodney chose La Salle over George Washington and Rhode Island.

2005 Spring Recruits The Explorers received a commitment from 6-6 forward Paul Johnson from Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC. 2005 Washington DC Gatorade Player of the Year. Paul averaged 17 pts and 8 boards per game as a senior. Marshall Taylor is a 17 year old 6-4 (and growing) guard who left Siena after one semester. He will be eligible in December 2005 and have four seasons of eligibility. He can practice with the team immediately. Taylor is a Philadelphia product having played at West Catholic and earning Second-Team all-City and First-Team all-Catholic League honors by averaging 20 points per game during his senior year.

2004-05 Incoming Freshmen The Explorers have signed 6-2 guard Darnell Harris from St. Frances H.S. in Baltimore. Darnell Harris Darnell was one of the best guards in the Baltimore Catholic League this season. Harris averaged 19.5 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. He is an excellent shooter. "Darnell was a great player for us,” St. Frances Assistant Coach Orlando "Bino" Ranson told MdVarsity.com this week. "I think he'll do very well at LaSalle. Darnell was also recruited by Fordham, Siena, Rhode Island...most of the Atlantic 10 was interested in him. He is very athletic, quick and a great leaper. He is a shooter and a scorer, but he is also a complete player." Coach Ranson said "Darnell might play both shooting guard and some point guard in college." LaSalle has signed 6-5 forward Sherman Diaz from Burlington New Jersey's Life Center. Sherman Diaz Diaz is originally from Trinidad. Sherman averaged 18 points and 5 boards during his senior season. He was selected as his high school's MVP in 2002-03. Richard "Tabby" Cunningham, a 5-8 point guard at St. John Neumann High, has signed on to become an Explorer. La Salle was chosen by Tabby over Siena, Dayton, and Central Connecticut among others. Tabby is a very quick playmaking guard who distributes the ball very well. "I just decided to stay home," Cunningham said of his decision. "It was a great situation. And I have a great support system at home." Tabby is a team guy and enjoys finding the "open man" on the court. 2003-04 Incoming Freshmen Sean Neal Sean Neal is a 6-2 point guard who played high school ball in Springfield, MA. Mike St. John is a 6-8 power forward from The River School in Weston, MA. St. John is from Northboro, Massachussetts. He played on a team which lost in the Division II state finals as a junior. All players listed below are officially eligible for the 2002-03 season. Jermaine Thomas Point guard Jermaine Thomas, (6'2") of Frederick Maryland from Thomas Johnson High, was named Washington DC area high school Player of the Year. Jermaine averaged 25.9 points, 7.1 assists and 7 rebounds per game. Led his high school team to 25-2 record. Broke 9 school records, including career points (1,973) and career assists (557). Tied school single-game scoring record of 51 points. Another newcomer next season will be Steven Smith, a 6'8" forward, averaged 16.8 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists per game in his senior season at Northeast High in Philadelphia. He was named to both the All-Public League and All-City teams. Lewis Fadipe is a 6'10" center from Nigeria. He is a good rebounder and shot blocker.

This page last updated: 07/26/2010