Explorer Recruits

                               

2009 Recruits The first scholarship for 2009 has been filled by Nurideen Lindsey who gave a solid verbal to coach John Giannini. Lindsey is a 6-3 wing guard from Overbrook High School who is one of the top 3 juniors in the Public League, has averaged over 24 points in 2006-07. Nurideen has stated that he wanted to have less stress. "I do not want to go too far away from my family. La Salle showed an interest in me, and I like the university" said Lindsey. "He is a natural scorer," Rodney Wescott, Lindsey's AAU coach with Team Kobe said. "Nurideen can score from the perimeter and he is very quick with long arms and big hands." He chose La Salle over St. Joseph's, Virginia Tech, Boston College, West Virginia and Florida among others.

2008 Recruits Karon Burton is a special guard who has had to deal with especially difficult circumstances in his personal life. Both his father and step-father were murdered within a year when he was 16. He focused his energy on basketall and it has helped him get through. He is a true floor general as he can distribute the ball to an open teammate or take the shot himself. This past season as a senior, he led Chester to the Class 4A state championship, a 33-1 record and a national No. 3 ranking by USA Today. For the year, Burton averaged 18.1 points, 7.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Despite playing only three seasons at Chester, he left as the school's all-time assists leader. He was selected as the Daily Times Boys Basketball Player of the Year. "I'm going there because Dr. G didn't promise me anything," said Karon. Coach Dr. John Giannini did pay Karon the ultimate compliment by telling him that he did not want to have to play against him. Karon will be an academic redshirt this upcoming year and knows he will need to do well in the classroom in order to join the team next year. He is willing to work to get the grades he needs. Burton said that he intends to pursue a marketing degree at La Salle. "It will be a good major for me because I know I'll be selling some tickets to La Salle games real soon," he said. He chose LaSalle over St. John's, St. Bonaventure and Auburn among others. 6-8 PF/C Devon White brings a power scoring game and tenacious defense to LaSalle. Devon led Strawberry Mansion HS to the PIAA Class AA championship game against Jeanette HS. White is a shot blocker who also scores near the basket and grabs almost every board. He powered his way to 11.6 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game as a senior. White fills the need of a post presence for the Explorers. He is very athletic and is coachable. He said he never really lifted weights but is willing to do so under the supervision of the Explorer coaching staff. "I knew as soon as I signed this letter that I'd be getting in the weight room at La Salle, looking to get stronger and better" said Devon. White slected La Salle over Nebraska, Robert Morris and Niagara among others. David Baroum, the first recruit for 2008, is a 6-10 center from Bethel HS in Hampton, VA. Baroum provides much needed height to the team and will be a presence on both ends of the court. He is a very good student and wants to study Law. David is the first recruit of 2008 and chose La Salle over Xavier, George Washington, Duquesne and Old Dominion among others. He is originally from the nation of Chad.

Terrell Williams

2007 Recruits                                    Terrell Williams, a 6-8 SF has selected La Salle. His older twin brother, Jerrell, also a 6-8 SF has decided to join him at La Salle. Both will play their senior high school season at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA this year. Both were former teammates of Kimmani Barrett at Paterson Catholic. "La Salle was the perfect fit for me," Jerrell said. Both are tough defenders who also like to rebound and run the floor. They are "slasher" type scorers right now but are working on their mid-range shot this year. They both chose La Salle over UMass, Rhode Island, Seton Hall, Marquette and Utah among others.                  Kyle Griffin is a 6-4, 190 pound Guard from Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA. Griffin had officially visited the La Salle campus in late September. Kyle is a sharp shooting combo guard who has great instincts for the game. He chose La Salle over Xavier, Bucknell and Siena among others.

Jerrell Williams

	6-9 junior Vernon Goodridge has transferred to La Salle from Mississippi State and will be eligible to compete for the Explorers beginning with the 2008-09 season. Coach John Giannini added, "he is extremely athletic and can run the court. I expect him to be an elite shot blocker, rebounder and defender. I expect him to have an immediate impact in our program and on the Atlantic 10."
	Darryl Partin, a 6-5 Guard from Charis Prep in Goldsboro NC, has commited to the Explorers. He was a second-team all state guard his senior year at Sanderson high school. He chose the Explorers over Fordham, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Miami and East Carolina among others.

2006 Recruits This is La Salle’s most productive recruiting class in the last 25 years. Top 20 Recruiting Class in the Nation according to some scouting services. Ruben Guillandeaux Ruben Guillandeaux, 6-6 SG/PG, from Saint Patrick's in Elizabeth NJ, completes the 2006 recruiting class. Ruben is an excellent outside shooter who can run the point. Ruben has a great understanding of the game. He is a teammate of Yves Mekomgo-Mbala at Saint Patrick's. Member of NJ State Champion Team. He chose La Salle over USC, Boston College, Providence, Marquette, Seton Hall and Rhode Island. Brian Grimes Brian Grimes, 6-7 F, was a Germantown Academy standout prior to going to prep school at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire this year. Some compare his style similar to that of Steven Smith. Jim Fenerty, the coach at Germantown Academy, said "Brian is one of those guys who is a fierce competitor. He's got a nice shot from 17 feet in. He rebounds real well and he is very athletic." Brian chose La Salle over Boston College, George Washington, Virginia, and Richmond. Yves Mekongo-Mbala Yves Mekongo-Mbala, 6-7 SF, from Saint Patrick's of Elizabeth, NJ (2nd team all-state). He is an outstanding student. Mbala is very athletic and has explosive leaping ability. A great finisher on offense. One of the leaders on NJ State Championship Team. Yves has selected La Salle over Saint Joseph's, Rhode Island, San Francisco, Fairfield and Kent State. Kimmani Barrett Kimmani Barrett, 6-5 G/F, from Paterson Catholic NJ (2nd team all-state) has chosen La Salle. Barrett is the 2005 Herald News Boys Basketball Player of the Year. "I'm a firm believer of go where you are really wanted," Paterson Catholic head coach Tommie Patterson. "They (LaSalle) are not going to define his position. They are going to let him play anywhere from the shooting guard to the small forward. This is great for him because his best attribute is he's so versatile." Kimmani chose LaSalle over Seton Hall, St. John's, DePaul, Marquette and West Virginia. Rodney Green Rodney Green, 6-5 guard, of Prep Charter High School in Philadelphia (1st team all- area and 1st team all-state) has given his commitment to La Salle. Philadelphia Public League Player of the Year. Led Prep Charter to PA Class AA State Championship. As a player, "he's a top-notch finisher," Prep Charter coach Dan Brinkley said. Rodney chose La Salle over George Washington and Rhode Island.

2005 Spring Recruits The Explorers received a commitment from 6-6 forward Paul Johnson from Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC. 2005 Washington DC Gatorade Player of the Year. Paul averaged 17 pts and 8 boards per game as a senior. Marshall Taylor is a 17 year old 6-4 (and growing) guard who left Siena after one semester. He will be eligible in December 2005 and have four seasons of eligibility. He can practice with the team immediately. Taylor is a Philadelphia product having played at West Catholic and earning Second-Team all-City and First-Team all-Catholic League honors by averaging 20 points per game during his senior year.

2004-05 Incoming Freshmen The Explorers have signed 6-2 guard Darnell Harris from St. Frances H.S. in Baltimore. Darnell Harris Darnell was one of the best guards in the Baltimore Catholic League this season. Harris averaged 19.5 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. He is an excellent shooter. "Darnell was a great player for us,” St. Frances Assistant Coach Orlando "Bino" Ranson told MdVarsity.com this week. "I think he'll do very well at LaSalle. Darnell was also recruited by Fordham, Siena, Rhode Island...most of the Atlantic 10 was interested in him. He is very athletic, quick and a great leaper. He is a shooter and a scorer, but he is also a complete player." Coach Ranson said "Darnell might play both shooting guard and some point guard in college." LaSalle has signed 6-5 forward Sherman Diaz from Burlington New Jersey's Life Center. Sherman Diaz Diaz is originally from Trinidad. Sherman averaged 18 points and 5 boards during his senior season. He was selected as his high school's MVP in 2002-03. Richard "Tabby" Cunningham, a 5-8 point guard at St. John Neumann High, has signed on to become an Explorer. La Salle was chosen by Tabby over Siena, Dayton, and Central Connecticut among others. Tabby is a very quick playmaking guard who distributes the ball very well. "I just decided to stay home," Cunningham said of his decision. "It was a great situation. And I have a great support system at home." Tabby is a team guy and enjoys finding the "open man" on the court. 2003-04 Incoming Freshmen Sean Neal Sean Neal is a 6-2 point guard who played high school ball in Springfield, MA. Mike St. John is a 6-8 power forward from The River School in Weston, MA. St. John is from Northboro, Massachussetts. He played on a team which lost in the Division II state finals as a junior. All players listed below are officially eligible for the 2002-03 season. Jermaine Thomas Point guard Jermaine Thomas, (6'2") of Frederick Maryland from Thomas Johnson High, was named Washington DC area high school Player of the Year. Jermaine averaged 25.9 points, 7.1 assists and 7 rebounds per game. Led his high school team to 25-2 record. Broke 9 school records, including career points (1,973) and career assists (557). Tied school single-game scoring record of 51 points. Another newcomer next season will be Steven Smith, a 6'8" forward, averaged 16.8 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists per game in his senior season at Northeast High in Philadelphia. He was named to both the All-Public League and All-City teams. Lewis Fadipe is a 6'10" center from Nigeria. He is a good rebounder and shot blocker.

This page last updated: 08/27/2008