Recruits look to build hoops, tradition
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: Sports
With a year of Division I play under their belts, the SIUE men's basketball team hopes to continue building towards future success with three new scholarship athletes.
LeShaun Murphy of Sachse, Texas, Anthony Mithcell of East St. Louis and Zeke Schneider of Metamora will be joining an SIUE team with holes to fill, after Brandon Dunson, Aaron Garriott and Barry Wellington transferred out of the program.
"The guys we have coming in will definitely fit into our program," Men's head basketball coach Lennox Forrester said. "I'm sorry to see those guys leave, but I am excited to see what these athletes can do for SIUE."
The newest Cougar, Murphy, is a 6-foot-1 inch guard and averaged 15.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in his final prep season at Sasche High School, where he played for three years after transferring from Saint Joseph's High School in Chicago.
Murphy said he had scholarship offers from Southern Methodist University and Stephen F. Austin on the table, and also received a look from Marquette University, but ultimately chose SIUE.
"I chose SIUE because I like the offense and the coaches," Murphy said. "Everyone is friendly and the coaches told me everything I needed to know."
Forrester said there were many qualities about Murphy's game making him attractive to the program.
"His athletic ability, dedication to the game, academics and his great basketball IQ attributed to our decision," Forrester said. "He is a tough kid who can play well, and those are the qualities we saw in him."
Murphy said Forrester made him feel wanted at SIUE, and had a positive influence on his decision.
"He told me everything and didn't leave anything out," Murphy said of Forrester. "He also talked to my parents, and they liked him, which is a plus."
Murphy is the first basketball player to emerge as a D-I athlete from Sachse High School under coach Dwight Williams.
Williams said Murphy is a dynamic talent on the floor, and will be able to make an impact in D-I.
LeShaun Murphy of Sachse, Texas, Anthony Mithcell of East St. Louis and Zeke Schneider of Metamora will be joining an SIUE team with holes to fill, after Brandon Dunson, Aaron Garriott and Barry Wellington transferred out of the program.
"The guys we have coming in will definitely fit into our program," Men's head basketball coach Lennox Forrester said. "I'm sorry to see those guys leave, but I am excited to see what these athletes can do for SIUE."
The newest Cougar, Murphy, is a 6-foot-1 inch guard and averaged 15.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in his final prep season at Sasche High School, where he played for three years after transferring from Saint Joseph's High School in Chicago.
Murphy said he had scholarship offers from Southern Methodist University and Stephen F. Austin on the table, and also received a look from Marquette University, but ultimately chose SIUE.
"I chose SIUE because I like the offense and the coaches," Murphy said. "Everyone is friendly and the coaches told me everything I needed to know."
Forrester said there were many qualities about Murphy's game making him attractive to the program.
"His athletic ability, dedication to the game, academics and his great basketball IQ attributed to our decision," Forrester said. "He is a tough kid who can play well, and those are the qualities we saw in him."
Murphy said Forrester made him feel wanted at SIUE, and had a positive influence on his decision.
"He told me everything and didn't leave anything out," Murphy said of Forrester. "He also talked to my parents, and they liked him, which is a plus."
Murphy is the first basketball player to emerge as a D-I athlete from Sachse High School under coach Dwight Williams.
Williams said Murphy is a dynamic talent on the floor, and will be able to make an impact in D-I.
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