August 30, 2006

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Billy Lee, Head Basketball Coach for the St. Andrews Presbyterian College men’s basketball team, has announced the addition of seven new student-athletes for the upcoming 2006-2007 season.

Lee’s first recruiting class at SAPC includes an athletic blend of players that should compliment a returning squad that is coming off their most successful conference season in six years. Lee added three guards, three post players, and a swing man to a large veteran roster.

“Our recruiting goal was to bring in versatile players that could improve our shooting but, at the same time, increase our size,” said Lee. “Richie Schueler [third year assistant coach] has done an outstanding job spearheading our recruiting and we feel very good about this recruiting class.”

St. Andrews will be looking to building off a promising season last year in which the Knights went 12-16 overall and 9-11 in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference (best mark since 1999/2000). Lee returns 10 letter winners from last year.

“If this class sticks together and works hard, it could be a team that would be very hard to play against and one that will be enjoyable for St. Andrews fans to watch,” concluded Lee.

Justin Brauda is a five-foot, 10-inch point guard from Monroe, N.C., Brauda averaged 11 points and seven assists per game his senior year at Parkwood High School. Brauda also shot 39-percent on three-pointers. The 170-pound ball handler was a two-time All-Conference, two-time All-Tournament, and Team MVP.

“Justin is a good floor general who will bring a lot of understanding to our team coupled with being an excellent outside shooter,” expressed Lee. “He will be fun to have on our team because he is a versatile guard. He is capable of affecting the offensive end with his passing, shooting, and ball handling. He also comes out of a winning program with a great tradition.”

Stuart Short is a six-foot, four-inch shooting guard from Matthews, N.C. In his senior season at Weddington High School, Short averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game. The 200-pound student-athlete, who has also excelled in the classroom, was a First Team All-Conference selection that shot 36-percent from the arc.

“Stuart is an extremely good shooter coming from a winning program and should help us in many different ways,” stated Lee. “He has versatility in that he is 6’4” and will be a much added weapon to our arsenal.”

Brandon Grantham is a six-foot, five-inch shooting forward from Goldsboro, N.C. Grantham averaged 15 points and seven rebounds his senior year at Smithfield Selma High School. The 185-pound forward also has touch around the perimeter shooting 35-percent on three-pointers.

“ Brandon comes in as a 6’5” athletic outside/inside player,” explained Lee. “He is a capable shooter and will give us some needed size in the up front positions. At times he can play above the rim, which is an area where we need him to improve.”

Ron Deas is a six-foot, four-inch; 190-pound forward from Clayton, N.C. Deas comes to St. Andrews, along with Grantham, from Smithfield Selma High School. Deas, his teams’ Most Outstanding Player Award recipient, averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.

“Ron is an offensive rebounder supreme,” boldly commented Lee. “He is an athlete and plays with relentless intensity, although he is undersized. He will be a lot of fun to coach.”

Donte Fields is a six-foot, nine-inch; 210-pound, forward or center from New Bern, N.C. Fields, who averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game, led New Bern High School in shots blocked. Fields was an All-Area, All-Conference, Team MVP, and Team Offensive & Defensive Player of the Year.

“Donte has tremendous upside,” started commenting Lee. “As a 6’9” athletic kid, he brings much-needed height to our program and he is capable of being an extremely good shot blocker. We will be spending a great deal of time on his skill development, but he is quick on quick and we welcome him to St. Andrews.”

Marcus Hoke is a six-foot, five-inch guard, 180-pound transfer from Wilkes Community College. Hoke earned All-Conference honors averaging 16.5 points, five rebounds, and two steals per game his sophomore year at Wilkes while shooting 50-percent from the field and 47% from the 3-point arc. The Charlotte, N.C., native was a defensive Player of the Year and Charlotte Hornets Sportsmanship Award recipient at Olympic High School.

“Marcus shot 46% from the three-point line at his community college, which is unusual in itself,” remarked Lee. “But, Marcus is also a 6’5” solid athlete that will again bring versatility to the program.”

Greg Evans is a six-foot, zero-inch, 165-pound, shooting guard from Clinton, N.C. While at Clinton High School, Evans averaged 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game. The decorated athlete was a three-time All-Conference and All-County selection. Evans was also an All-Tournament honoree and Team MVP.

“Greg was a tremendous scorer at Clinton High School and played for a very good high school coach in Dwight Horne,” uttered Lee. “He brings strength and depth to the guard position and is quite athletic.”