JONESBORO,
Ark. (4/20/09) ? With the addition of junior college transfers Rashad Allison
and Justin Butler, the Arkansas State men's basketball team pushed their
signing class for the 2009-10 season to five. Both Allison and Butler will come
to ASU with two years of eligibility remaining. In addition to the five
signees, redshirt freshmen Trey Finn and Oklahoma State transfer Martavius Adams
will also be available to the Red Wolves in 2009-10.
Allison
is a 6-1, 180-pound point guard from Northeast Nebraska Junior College, where
he averaged 16 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals per game
for the Hawks while also earning first team all-conference and all-region nods.
Allison is a Minneapolis, Minn. native and prepped at Grand Rapids Central High
School.
“We
are extremely excited about what Rashad brings to our team from the point guard
position,” said ASU head coach John Brady. “He is a solid on-ball defender, can
beat people off the dribble as well as make shots from the perimeter. He has
the character and toughness to make a difference immediately on our team.”
Butler
is a 6-8, 230-pound forward from Connors State Community College. He averaged
10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and led his team to a Final Four
appearance in the NJCAA Tournament and a 29-9 overall record. Butler is a
Tulsa, Okla. native and played high school ball at McLain High School.
“We
were looking for another inside player who can defend the post, score inside
and block shots,” said Brady. “Justin certainly brings that to our team. He
runs the floor extremely well and brings a winning attitude to our program
because Connors State is one of the most successful (junior college programs)
in the country.”
Brady
also had the following statement concerning the status of two players from last
year's roster: “Brandon Ayers and Eric McKinney will no longer be a part of the
Arkansas State basketball program. We wish them well in their future plans.”
Brady will not have any further comments on
the status of Ayers or McKinney.
