LA GRANDE, Ore. -- The Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team released the signing of nine student-athletes for the 2011-12 season.
The recruiting class features a mix of transfers, incoming freshman and players from both the Pacific Northwest and across the country.
The Mountaineers look to improve on last year’s 26-7 record in which they made a fourth straight appearance in the NAIA Div. 2 National Tournament second round.
“With this class we wanted to make sure that we added terrific students, athletes and of course people,” Head Coach Isaac Williams said. “We have worked hard to recruit quality players that not only help improve our team, but people our alumni and community can look forward to cheering for.”
Ervin Felder comes to La Grande as a sophomore transfer from Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. The 6-7 post from Hammond, La. will look to be a force on the interior. As a freshman, Felder averaged 6.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while helping the Aztecs to their first ever trip to the NJCAA tournament, in which they placed seventh overall.
“Ervin plays with a huge amount of heart,” Williams said. “He is as athletic as they come and has the ability to rebound above the rim and be a shot blocking presence on the inside.”
Derek Maloney arrives on campus as an incoming freshman from Kimberly, Idaho. The 6-8 wing averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals per game and led Kimberly to a 17-7 mark overall. He was named second team All-State for his efforts.
“With his combination of size and skills on the perimeter, Derek gives us great versatility,” Williams said. “He will have a chance to become an exceptional player in our conference.”
Kalvin Johanson is a 6-10 post from Pullman, Wash. As a senior at Pullman High School last year, Johanson was one of the top shot blockers in the state of Washington and was named second team Greater Northern League after helping his squad to a 17-6 record. On top of being a tremendous talent on the floor, Johanson carried a 3.96 high school GPA.
“It is rare to find Kal’s combination of size and athleticism at our level of basketball,” Williams said. “When you combine those attributes with his attitude and work ethic you have something special.”
Trent Roos comes to EOU after a standout sophomore season at Chemeketa Community College, helping his team compete at the NWAACC tournament. Roos averaged 19.3 points, 2.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds and was one of the top scorers in the NWAACC. Originally from Salem, Ore., Roos attended Sprague High School and will be a junior at EOU.
“Trent can flat out score the ball and brings so much more than that to our program,” Williams said. “He is an incredibly hard worker and plays with great intensity and toughness.”
From Allen, Texas, Page Beeler will be entering his freshman campaign as a Mountaineer. Beeler averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per contest while shooting 55 percent from the floor in helping Allen High School to a 21-13 record. The 6-5 wing/forward also excelled as a dual-sport athlete, showing off his talents as a jumper in the Allen track program.
“Page is a superb athlete that can play multiple positions and offers a great combination of physical gifts and a diverse skill set,” Williams said. “Playing at such a high level in high school, Page knows what it is like to play against top tier talent.”
John Buhler comes to La Grande after helping take Big Bend Community College to the NWAAC tournament as a sophomore. A player with wing and post capabilities at 6-5, he averaged 8.7 points per contest while grabbing 5.6 rebounds per game as well. Buhler will be entering his junior season at EOU.
“John plays extremely hard and never takes a play off,” Williams said. “He has a diverse skill set that allows him to play around the rim and beyond the three point line.”
Darius Howard will be entering his sophomore season at Eastern Oregon. Originally from Seattle, Wash. the 6-0 Howard has spent time as a track athlete at Spokane Community College in long jump, high jump and sprints. Howard will add further depth and athleticism on the perimeter.
“Darius is a great athlete that will give us another solid defender and team leader,” Williams said. “He has an amazing basketball story and I look forward to seeing his continued growth on and off the floor.”
Mason Jones transfers as an incoming sophomore from Saddleback College where he contributed to a team that went 27-7 and advanced to the California State semifinals. Before his time there, Jones was a standout at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. Jones transferred from national powerhouse Mater Dei and helped propel Ocean View to the CIF State Championship game. At 6-4 Jones played all three perimeter positions in high school and junior college.
“Mason is an outstanding young man that is as skilled as he is versatile,” Williams said. “He has played against top level talent and brings a great sense of competition and toughness to our program.”
JaMier Morris will be a junior for the Mountaineers as he too transfers from Pima Community College in Arizona. Morris, a 5-11 point guard and Tucson, Ariz. native, was an outstanding point guard for Pima Community College. As a sophomore he averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in helping the Aztecs to their first ever trip to the NJCAA National Tournament where the team placed seventh.
“He is a very talented guard who can score as well as he distributes,” Williams said. “JaMier plays his best on the biggest stages and we are excited to have him in our program.”
The Mountaineers tipoff the 2011 season on Oct. 29 by traveling to Walla Walla University, the game will start at 7:30 p.m.