RELEASE DATE: 6/1/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNS FIVE NEW RECRUITS

Mansfield University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Rich Miller has announced the signing of five recruits for the 2006-2007 season. Highlighting the list for next season will be 6’6” Junior College transfer Brandon Lawley. Joining him on the 2006-07 Mountaineer roster will be: 6’7” Cory Boone, 6’7” Dhimitri Laurasi, 6’1” Lavail Owens and 6’5” Jovoun Webb.

Brandon Lawley, a native of Jamaica, New York and a transfer from SUNY Delhi in New York, led the Broncos to a 28-3 record last season. He averaged 11.5 points per game while pulling down 8.1 rebounds per game. Lawley was a second team All-Region pick and a second team All-Conference selection. “He is a hard working player who uses attitude and work ethic to fuel the fire he plays with,” said assistant coach Jason Mattern.

Cory Boone attended Bald Eagle Area High School in Pennsylvania where he helped his team to a 24-6 record that included the Mountain League Championship, District 6AA Championship, and the Eagles’ first ever PIAA appearance. He did so by averaging 10.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 4.6 assists per game.  Boone also led his team in steals with 59 while blocking 58 shots. “He is a very versatile player at his size which will hopefully create a lot of match up problems,” said head coach Rich Miller.

Dhimitri Laurasi played at Rush Henrietta high school outside of Rochester, NY.  Using his size, he was able to average 7.3 ppg while dominating the boards averaging 10.9 rpg. Laurasi led his team to a 17-3 record before falling in the NY state finals to the power-house team from Fairport. With his achievements, he received an invitation to play in the Monroe County Exceptional Senior All-Star Game. “Like Boone, Laurasi also creates match up problems with his ability to score around the basket while also being able to step out and shoot the three,” said Miller.

Lavail Owens comes in from Wissahickon High School in Pennsylvania where he averaged 13.5 ppg, 2.0 apg and 2.0 steals per game. He has led his team to the state playoffs and earned invitations to two all-star games in Philadelphia for two consecutive years. Owens played in the Suburban I All-Star Game where he knocked down six three pointers to get the attention of everyone.  “He is a smooth guard with the ability to come off screens and knock down shots,” said Miller. “He can also break a defender down off the dribble to the basket.”  Son of Billy Owens, the third pick in the first round of the 1991 NBA draft and a Division I All-American from Syracuse University, Lavail comes to Mansfield with great confidence and the ability to make an immediate impact.

Jovoun Webb is a graduate of Webster Thomas High School outside Rochester, Ny.  At 6’5”, he led his team in rebounding with 10.8 rpg while averaging 15.5 ppg. Although undersized down low, Webb has a big body and knows how to use it. “His ability to jump and over power people allows him to be very effective in the paint,” said Mattern. “He brings intensity and a will to win every time he steps on the floor.”

Coach Miller and the rest of the Mountaineer contingency are more excited than ever to get the 2006-07 season underway. “I think we’ve got a really solid group of guys here and we’re all looking forward to the 2006-07 season,” says Miller. “We made a conscious effort to recruit solid guys that would fit into our system and I think we really achieved that.”

The Mountaineers will look for help from the newcomers immediately as five Mountaineers from last season’s PSAC playoff appearing team have graduated, including the top four scorers in Brandon DeShields, David Hoopes, Carlos Collazo, and Andrae Martin. The Mountaineers also lose the 6’8” 250 pound Justin Kress whose presence in the post will be surely missed.