Thursday, April 28, 2005
Herald.com : DILLARD STAR SIGNS
"Dillard basketball star Maxwell DuBois signed with the Penn State University basketball team. The 6-4 shooter said he ''fell in love'' with Penn State University on his recent visit to the school.
" 'I like the energy their new coach has about the program, and I'm looking forward to helping build the program,' DuBois said. 'Give us a couple of years and we'll be nationally ranked.' ..."
DuBois is the second signing from a Dillard team that finished the season 22-3 and advanced to the regional finals of the Class 5A boys' state tournament. Emmanuel Adeife, a 6-9 post player, signed with Houston this year."
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Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Penn State's image doesn't worry recruit:
"For a guy with as theatrical sounding a name as Maxwell Dubois, you would expect a flamboyant presence.
"But Penn State's newest recruit of what is now a five-man class presents a facade that's all business.
"Here's a kid from Hollywood, Fla., between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, who has enlisted willingly with the figurative and literal Siberia of college basketball. A place with four straight last-place finishes on its ledger, no sun in its winter sky and no high-rises -- aquamarine, coral or otherwise -- on its skyline.
" 'I'm fine with the weather,' Dubois said by phone from Florida. 'I was born in Brooklyn.'
" Although he was in the Sunshine State by age 5. And the year upon year of losing?
" 'I understand that,' he said. 'The beginning of something good always starts off bad. It had no effect on me. I'm there to make the team better.'
"No sizable city within 90 miles?
" 'I'm not really going up there for pleasure. I'm going up to get an education and play ball.'
"From all indications, play ball Dubois will. At 6-3 and a skinny 175 but with superior athleticism and skills, he figures to fit in nicely with Ed DeChellis' ostensible overhaul of the program from feeble to full-throttle. ..."
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Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Sports Info: Maxwell Dubois signs LOI
Nittany Lion Basketball Team Signs Florida-Native Maxwell Dubois to National Letter of Intent; Athletic Wing is Fifth Member of Incoming ClassState College, Pa. - April 26, 2005 - Penn State Nittany Lion basketball coach Ed DeChellis has received a national letter of intent from Maxwell Dubois (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). The athletic wing becomes the fifth member of DeChellis' second full recruiting class and will be a freshman at Penn State this coming year.
Dubois is a 6-3, 190-pound, wing who played high school ball at Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Dillard has been a steady source of talented Division I players over the years. "Maxwell is an athletic wing who brings speed and quickness to our program," DeChellis said. "We're very excited to add another talented wing to our arsenal. He is a very good slasher with an outstanding feel for the game and is dangerous in the open floor. Dubois is an outstanding defensive presence as well."
Led by Dubois, Dillard posted a 27-2 record last year and earned a spot in the regional semifinals of the Florida High School 5A Championships. Maxwell averaged 14.0 points, 6.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game as a senior. He also earned All-State honors during his time at Dillard.
Dubois recently won the pre-game three-point shooting contest at the Florida North-South All-Star game. He was a Miami Herald All-County selection as well. Dubois played at Dillard for two years and started both campaigns. The team went 44-9 during that span. "Max is a very energetic player who is able to do a number of things," said Darryl Burrows, Dubois' coach at Dillard. "He can shoot and penetrate and I expect him to be a very fine player for Penn State."
A member of Team Breakdown, a top-level Florida AAU squad, Dubois started for head coach Kenny Gillion. Team Breakdown is a consistent national power in the AAU circuit and one of the nation's most respected programs. Under the guidance of Gillion, Breakdown has produced a number of Division I players and is one of the best AAU teams in the state of Florida.
Dubois joins an outstanding cast of incoming Nittany Lions who have also signed NLIs with Penn State. Post players Milos Bogetic (Podgorica, Montenegro) and Joonas Suotamo (Espoo, Finland) signed last week as did junior college guard David Jackson (Gaithersburg, Md./Gulf Coast CC). Ohio All-State pick Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio) committed in November's early signing period.
Last year's five player recruiting class yielded four individuals who started throughout the season (including one who earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors) and a fifth who gained valuable playing time over the course of the campaign.
Monday, April 25, 2005
BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Dubois is Big Ten bound:
"Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is no stranger to placing guys at Division I schools. Joe McCray, Jimmy Tobias, Clarence Gilbert and Keyon Dooling all came from the Sunshine State school. You can add Maxwell Dubois to the list now, too. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound shooting guard is headed to the Big Ten after officially his future home over the weekend.
"Dubois verbally committed to Penn State, according to his AAU coach Kenny Gillion.
" 'He had a great time on the visit,' Gillion said. 'They are looking forward for him to him coming in a working right away in the Big Ten.' ..."
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Friday, April 22, 2005
Sports info: Bogetic, Suotamo LOIs in
Nittany Lion Basketball Team Signs Two European Frontcourt Players to National Letters of Intent; Finland and Montenegro Natives Join Penn State Fold State College, Pa. - April 22, 2005 - Penn State Nittany Lion basketball coach Ed DeChellis received signed national letters of intent from two European frontcourt players, increasing Penn State's incoming recruiting class to four. Post players Milos Bogetic (Podgorica, Montenegro) and Joonas Suotamo (Espoo, Finland) will bolster Penn State's frontcourt as freshmen next season.
Bogetic is a 6-10, 255-pound post player with quality passing skills and a good three-point shot. A low-post player with perimeter skills, Bogetic played in the youth leagues of Slovenia.
"Milos is a very physical player with the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter as well as post up," DeChellis said. "He is an outstanding student and will be an excellent addition to our frontcourt and we're pleased to welcome him to the Nittany Lion basketball family."
Suotamo, 6-9 and 220 pounds, is a high post forward that can shoot the 15-foot jumper as well as post up. Very athletic, he runs the floor very well. Suotamo currently plays on the Finnish National Team will compete in the European Championships in Bulgaria this July.
"Joonas is an exceptional athlete," DeChellis said. "He can play either post position and is a very good shooter. He has great international experience while playing on the Finnish National Team and will be an outstanding addition to the Penn State family."
Bogetic and Suotamo join recently signed junior college guard David Jackson (Gaithersburg, Md./Gulf Coast CC) and Ohio All-State pick Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio), who signed in November, as members of DeChellis' second full recruiting class. Last year's five player recruiting class yielded four players who started throughout the season (including one who earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors) and a fifth who gained valuable playing time throughout the season.
FightOnState.com: Versatile Guard Joins Lions:
"Heading into April's late-signing period, Penn State coach Ed DeChellis had three scholarships to use. He was looking to add a versatile guard, someone with loads of athleticism and a player who could quickly fit the role of a leader in the young program.
"DeChellis filled all three needs — with one athlete. David Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla., faxed his letter of intent to the Nittany Lions Thursday afternoon. ..."
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PSU signs D.C. combo guard:
"The needs for Penn State's men's basketball team are practically as long as the roster. But Ed DeChellis and staff have made a formidable stab at filling one void.
"David Jackson, a 6-1 junior-college combo guard from Beltsville, Md., in suburban D.C., has signed with the Nittany Lions. Jackson, who's been playing at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla., will have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2005-06 season. A converted point guard, he is expected to compete for a starting spot next season. ..."
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JUCO guard signs letter of intent with PSU:
"Junior college point guard David Jackson became the Penn State men's basketball team's most recent commitment yesterday when Penn State coach Ed DeChellis received his letter of intent.
"'We are excited to have David join our basketball family,' DeChellis said in a press release. 'He is a tremendous athlete who can play all the perimeter positions and will be a great leader for his teammates here at Penn State. David is strong, athletic and an unselfish guard who will fit well into our Penn State program.' ..."
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Thursday, April 21, 2005
DAVID JACKSON SIGNS WITH PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
"Sophomore guard David Jackson signed a national letter of intent with Penn State University today. Jackson, a two-time All-Panhandle Conference selection, had narrowed his choices to the Big Ten School or Auburn in the Southeastern Conference.
"Jackson was the team’s leading scorer his sophomore year and led the state by shooting 55 percent from behind the three-point line. He moved from the point guard position that he played as a freshman, and will play both guard positions for the Nittany Lions. ..."
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Sports Info: David Jackson is a Nittany Lion
Nittany Lion Basketball Team Signs David Jackson To National Letter of Intent;Junior College Guard Commits to Penn StateState College, Pa. - April 21, 2005 - Penn State Nittany Lion head basketball coach Ed DeChellis received a national letter of intent from junior college guard David Jackson (Gaithersburg, Md./High Point). Jackson has played the last two years at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla.
A 6-3, 215 pound guard for GCCC, Jackson earned All-Conference honors for two straight years. Playing in the tough Panhandle Conference, Jackson averaged 18.0 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per conference over his two years there. He also shot 56 percent from three-point land. An outstanding ball-handler, Jackson is both strong and physical.
"We are excited to have David join our basketball family," DeChellis said. "He is a tremendous athlete who can play all the perimeter positions and will be a great leader for his teammates here at Penn State. David is strong, athletic and an unselfish guard who will fit well into our Penn State program."
Described as mature beyond his years, Jackson was a starter for a Gulf Coast team that had five players sign on with Division I squads this season. "David is an outstanding individual who is mature and totally committed to being all he can be in the classroom and on the court," said Jim Hatfield, Jackson's coach at Gulf Coast. "He is a tireless worker and a leader by nature."
Jackson joins Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio), who signed with Penn State in November, as the second member of DeChellis' second full recruiting class.
Additional letters of intent are expected soon. Last year's freshman class featured one member of the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and three other letter
winners.
Lions look to retool attitude:
"Ed DeChellis vividly remembers the line of students extending from Rec Hall, all the way down Burrowes Street to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house. Fans waited for hours and some even camped out overnight in Rec Hall -- for
basketball tickets.
"Back then, from 1986 to 1996, DeChellis served as a Penn State men's basketball assistant coach, first a nine-year stint under Bruce Parkhill and then a year under Jerry Dunn.
"In that 10-year span, Penn State had seven winning seasons, an Atlantic 10 tournament title, and four NIT and two NCAA tournament appearances.
"Back then, students supported a
winning basketball program.
"But since DeChellis left Penn State nine years ago to accept a job as head coach at East Tennessee State University, something changed. In fact, a lot changed, and when DeChellis returned to his alma mater to accept a head coaching job in April 2003, after seven years at East Tennessee State, Penn State basketball wasn't what he remembered. ..."
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Saturday, April 16, 2005
DeChellis, Lebo battle for guard:
"Ed DeChellis and Jeff Lebo have crossed paths before. And, at least on the surface, they've entered more important junctures.
"But for the here and now, the coming week qualifies as a moment of truth for both.
"The head basketball coaches at Penn State and Auburn are after the same big, physical junior-college point guard. They are the only ones left on the board.
"And they both really need David Jackson.
"Jackson is a 6-21/2, 185-pound combo guard from Beltsville, Md., in suburban D.C., by way of Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. He is exactly what both coaches crave for their leaderless teams. ..."
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Thursday, April 14, 2005
BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Auburn in final two for JUCO point guard
Looking to add a point guard in the late signing period, Auburn has targeted Panama City (Fla.) Gulf Coast Community College standout David Jackson.
Jackson is expected to choose between Auburn and Penn State.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Jackson has narrowed his list of offers to a final two.
"He is down to two schools – Auburn and Penn State," said Gulf Coast head coach Jim Hatfield. "He really likes both of them. He'll probably make his decision by Monday."
Jackson recently visited Penn State. He officially visited Auburn in the fall.
A native of Germantown, Md., Jackson also considered offers from West Virginia and St. Bonaventure.
Jackson recently wrapped up an outstanding sophomore season averaging a 18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
"He's a strong, stocky point guard that can really shoot the ball," said Hatfield. "He can penetrate and distribute the ball and is also a really good rebounder."
Jackson shot an impressive 53.1 percent from the field, 55.3 percent from 3-point range and 82.8 percent from the free throw line. ...
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Wednesday, April 13, 2005
ESPN.com - NCB - Katz: Tough jobs:
"Hollow words. Coaches have heard them before many times at Tennessee, and other high-major jobs like Rutgers, Seton Hall, Kansas State among others.
"You've heard the rhetoric: This coach is going to turn the program around. He's going to get tremendous support. A new practice facility will be built. There will be more money coming into the program. You wait and see. It will happen.
"Four years later there is a coaching change. After another four years there is another coaching change. And the cycle continues and continues.
"Look at Tennessee's track record of late: Wade Houston, five seasons and no NCAA Tournaments before he was fired. Kevin O'Neill, three seasons and no NCAA Tournaments before he left for, of all places, Northwestern. Jerry Green coached for four seasons and went to four NCAA Tournaments and he was still sacked. Buzz Peterson just completed his fourth season without an NCAA berth before he was canned. Now it's Bruce Pearl's turn.
"So, why should we believe Pearl can get Tennessee turned around when the others (save, perhaps, Green) couldn't replicate the successes of Don DeVoe's 11-year run (six NCAA berths from 1979-89)?
" 'I can't put my finger on why it's been one of those jobs here but it starts and ends with players,' Pearl said. 'We've got to get Tennessee kids to believe that you can go to Tennessee and win. They think they've got to go somewhere else and win.'
"Heard this before? ..."
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Friday, April 08, 2005
Sports Info: Nittany Lion Basketball Team Hands Out Awards at Annual Banquet
State College, Pa. - April 8, 2005 - Penn State Nittany Lion basketball coach Ed DeChellis handed out the hardware at the 26th Annual Nittany Lion Hoops Club Banquet. Three freshmen and two seniors walked away with a total of six awards.
Senior Kevin Fellows (Meridian, Idaho) earned the Scholastic Award, presented by Athletic Director Tim Curley. Fellows also claimed the Nittany Lion Club Senior Scholastic Award. Fellows played in 93 games during his four-year career as a Nittany Lion and was a member of the 2004 Big Ten Foreign Touring Team.
Classmate Jason McDougald (Lewisville, N.C.) was named the team's Unsung Hero. McDougald played in 84 games during his four-year career at Penn State. Jason was also a member of the 2003 Big Ten Touring All-Stars.
Freshman Geary Claxton (West Haven, Conn.) was named Scrappiest Player. Claxton, selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by the conference's coaches, led Penn State in scoring this season with a 12.7 ppg mark. He also averaged 6.3 rebounds per contest and was among the top freshmen in the conference in scoring, rebounds, blocks and offensive boards. Claxton started all 30 games for Penn State this year, the only
Nittany Lion to start each contest.
Classmate Danny Morrissey (Pepper Pike, Ohio) was named Most Improved Player. Morrissey played in all 30 games during his rookie campaign, starting ten (including the last six). He averaged 7.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg and led Penn State with 53 three-pointers.
Freshman Mike Walker (Lewisberry, Pa.) claimed the final honor, earning the Most Inspirational Player award. Walker played in all but one game this season and started 15. He hit for 6.3 ppg and was second on the squad with 71 assists. Walker also knocked down 41 three pointers.
Penn State heads into the 2005-06 season with seven returning lettermen, four of which were starters.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
The Herald News: This Day in Sports :
"2003 - Ben Howland was named head basketball coach at UCLA. He replaced Steve Lavin, who was fired. Howland had a record of 89-40 in four years at Pittsburgh, including 28-5 in 2002-03. - Marcus Hatten scored 22 points and Grady Reynolds added 13 points with 14 rebounds, as St. John's held on for a 70-67 victory over Georgetown in an all Big East final of the National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden. - Penn State named Ed DeChellis its new men's college basketball coach. - Virginia Tech hired former South Florida men's basketball coach Seth Greenberg as its new coach. ..."
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Friday, April 01, 2005
BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - President Spanier talks about coaching salaries: "BWI: Recently, there was a great deal of controversy created by several different newspaper articles regarding the comments you made to Penn State's Board of Trustees about how Penn State would avoid an 'arms race' relating to salary for Paterno's successor. Were the editorials fair?
[Graham Spanier]: That's often the case with sportswriters. This is very unusual that you as sportswriters are coming in to ask me something. In my 10 years as president of Penn State, I don't think any sports columnist with the exception of a couple of Daily Collegian writers have ever called up and said I'd like to talk to you about something.' Most sports columnists pick up a little tidbit somewhere and run off with it in a sometimes very crazy direction. ..."
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