District of Columbia Men’s Basketball Announces Five New Additions to 2012-13 Squad
WASHINGTON, DC – Fourth year head coach Jeff Ruland has announced five new additions to the University of the District of Columbia 2012-13 men's basketball team. Among the five newcomers are three Division I transfers, one Division II transfer and one Junior College All-American transfer.
Austin Cooley, Ralph Watts, Michael Terry, D'Angelo Johnson and Quasim Jones join a Firebird squad that returns seven players from its 2011-12 team which earned a 22-6 overall record and earned the school's first NCAA Tournament bid in 25 years. These five newcomers will look to fill the void left by the departure of the Firebirds' three top scorers from a season ago – Brandon Herbert (19.5 ppg) Nigel Munson (19.4 ppg) and Dishawn Bradshaw (14.6 ppg).
"We lost a great deal from last year, but we're excited about these guys we're bringing in, and we think they'll definitely make their mark on the program," Ruland said. "My assistants, Terrell Stokes and Anthony Iati did an excellent job recruiting."
Cooley (Silver Spring, MD – Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS), a 6-foot-5, 195 lb. junior swingman, played two seasons at Division I Niagara University of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference from 2008-2010. He appeared in 64 games in that time and averaged 11.9 minutes, 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per-game. Cooley's freshman season (2008-09), he helped the Purple Eagles to a 26-9 record and a berth in the NIT. Cooley will have two years of eligibility at University of D.C.
Watts (Peekskill, NY – Peekskill HS) is a 6-foot-5, 200 lb. guard who played two seasons at Division I University at Albany from 2010-12. He played in 61 games for the Great Danes, who compete in the America East Conference, and he averaged 15.9 minutes, 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per-game. Last year he led UAlbany to a 19-15 record and helped the Great Danes advance to the America East Tournament semifinals. Watts will have two years of eligibility at University of D.C.
Terry (Philadelphia, PA – Northeast Catholic), a 6-foot guard, played two seasons at Division I Boston University from 2010-12. He appeared in 56 games, averaging 8.8 minutes, 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per-game. His freshman season (2010-11) he helped the Terriers win the America East Tournament Championship and earn an NCAA Tournament berth. Terry will have two years of eligibility at University of D.C.
Johnson, a local product out of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Washington, DC, will have one year of remaining eligibility at the University of the District of Columbia. The 6-foot-4, 215 lb. forward played two seasons at Western Texas Community College and one season at Division II Virginia State in 2010-11. Johnson played in all 27 games for the Trojans, making 24 starts. He averaged 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per-game, including 14 double-figure scoring games and a season-high 27 points at Johnson C. Smith (Dec. 16, 2010).
Jones (Philadelphia, PA – John Bartram HS) is coming off a stellar 2011-12 season at Johnson County Community College, where he was named a Junior College All-American. In 32 games, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 17.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1. 5 steals per-game. Jones also played a season at Blinn College, a community college in Brenham, Texas. He will have two remaining years of eligibility at University of D.C.
The Firebirds will open the 2012-13 season at The Pavilion on November 9th, where they will take on Division I Villanova as part of the 2K Sports Classic.