MOBILE, Ala. ? University of South Alabama men’s basketball head coach Ronnie Arrow announced Thursday that a pair of high school post players have signed National Letters-of-Intent and will enroll in school in the fall. Forwards Javier Carter and Andre Gowins will both have four years of eligibility remaining.
“Because DeAndré [Coleman], Brandon [Davis] and Ronald [Douglas] are graduating, we knew we wanted to go out and sign quality inside players. With these two young men coming in, it gives us the ability to continue with the style of play that we like to run,” Arrow stated. “We are getting two quality players who can play the game of basketball, and they are both excellent students from very good families.
“With their different abilities, they will each complement one another.”
A 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward from Dallas, Texas, Carter is in his final season at Parish Episcopal School. Last year his efforts helped the Panthers win the Legget ISD Coca-Cola Classic as well as advance to championship game of Parish Holiday Classic during Christmas break.
TexasHoops.com has Carter ranked 26th in the state’s senior class.
“Javier is a really, really good athlete,” said Arrow. “He can run and block shots, so he will definitely fit in well with our style of play.”
Gowins, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound Gautier, Miss., (pronounced go-SHAY) resident, is averaging 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists per contest so far this season at Gautier High. His efforts have helped the Gators begin the year 5-0, including winning the championship of the Perry Central Tournament.
“Andre is strong, he’s more of a true five man who can go rebound,” Arrow said. “But, he also has outside skills ? Andre can step out and hit a jump shot.”
Carter and Gowins will join a program that has participated in national postseason play three straight years after earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2008. USA was 26-7 overall last winter, winning the Sun Belt Conference East Division title and earning the top seed at the league tournament after posting a 16-2 mark in conference action.
The Jaguars open the 2008-09 season Friday at 7:05 p.m. when they play host to Alcorn State in the second game of a doubleheader with USA’s women’s basketball program.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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