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Minnesota transfer tops crop of UIC newcomers COLLINS BRINGS 6 NEW PLAYERS ABOARD May 6, 2010
UIC announced Thursday that the Flames will be bringing aboard six more newcomers, bringing the 2010 recruiting class to eight, in hopes of a quick rebound from an 8-22 season. “This is a class that features a very high level of skill,” associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Tracy Dildy said. “We have a great mix of guys with experience and success at the collegiate level, yet they are also young, talented players that are tough, physically strong and explosive athletically. Our depth improves significantly with this group.” Heading the class is 6-foot-8, 203-pound forward Paul Carter, who is transferring from the University of Minnesota after playing two seasons with the Golden Gophers. Carter, who will complete his undergraduate degree in May, is coming to Chicago to be closer to his 14-year-old sister, Bria, who is receiving treatment for bone cancer in the Chicago area. It is likely the NCAA will grant Carter a hardship waiver, meaning that the energetic forward will be able to play next season instead of waiting one year as transfers usually do. Carter will be a senior. Carter averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds as the sixth man in 35 games for the Golden Gophers as a redshirt junior last season. He likely will start in a Flames’ frontcourt that is desperate for some consistent inside presence and rebounding. Carter was known as the spiritual leader for the Gophers and was praised for his work ethic. He is the first Big Ten player to transfer to UIC since Bryant Notree came from Illinois in 1997. “Paul can play the 1-4 positions and just knows how to win,” Dildy said. “He had an outstanding junior college career before becoming a big part of Minnesota’s resurgence under coach [Tubby] Smith and helping them go to the postseason twice. He brings experience and leadership.” In addition to Carter, three other frontcourt players will help fortify UIC’s post. Paris Carter, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward who played at Lake Land College last season, averaged 15.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field. Dorian Tyler, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound center, comes by the way of Marshall High School and Morton College. Tyler averaged 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. Darrin Williams, a 6-foot-9, 270-pound center, averaged 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds on a loaded Wallace State team, which finished fifth at the NJCAA national tournament. The Flames added a junior college guard in Daniel Barnes. A former star at Oak Park High School, Barnes averaged 14.9 points, 2.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game at Kaskaskia College last season. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard shot 43 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free-throw line. Barnes averaged 1.1 points per game as a freshman at Eastern Michigan. The lone freshman in the six-pack is 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard Shawn King from Gilbert, Ariz. King averaged 23.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 83 percent from the line. Collins credits assistant coach Bryant Lowe for finding King. “This class greatly enhances the program in the areas of depth, athleticism and toughness, particularly on the inside,” UIC head coach Jimmy Collins said. “The entire staff worked extremely hard to secure this class, which is a class that I truly believe will make an immediate impact and shore up numerous areas of need heading into next season.” These six will join Seton guard Kenny Stevenson and Foreman forward Eddie Denard, who signed with UIC back in November. Also, Junior guard Matt Bush and freshman guard Erin Pryor should be ready to play this season. Bush sat out last season as he recovered from a knee injury and Pryor took a redshirt year. Some of UIC’s top returning players include senior guard Robo Kreps, junior guard Zavion Neely, senior center K.C. Robbins and senior forward Brad Birton. |
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