Four Commit to Georgia Southern Men's Basketball for 2010-11
11/13/2009 3:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Men's Basketball Coach Charlton "C.Y." Young announced the receipt of National Letters of Intent from four student-athletes. Marvin Baynham, Tré Bussey, Eric Ferguson and Sam Mike have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for Georgia Southern University and will join the team for the 2010-11 season. All four earned high rankings from national scouting services.
Marvin Baynham, a 6-7, 195-lb. power forward from Miami Norland High School in Miami, Fla., helped the Vikings to the 6A regional semifinals. He averaged 10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in his junior season. Baynham also accounted for at least one block per contest.
"Marvin is a high-energy, athletic power forward who plays like a champion all the time," said Coach Young. "We are excited about him joining the program and we know he will set a great example for our team. He is a winner from a winning program and we really feel he can make an immediate impact because he plays for one of the best high school programs in the state of Florida."
From Lithia Springs, Ga., Tré Bussey will stay in-state and add depth to the Eagles' backcourt. At 6-3, 165 lbs., Bussey has played both shooting guard and point guard at Lithia Springs High School. Bussey and the Lions played in the Region 5 AAAA championship game last winter.
"A long, athletic, high-energy combo guard, he has a special knack for scoring,"Young said. "Tré can score in a variety of ways - he can slash to the basket, make threes but he's also big enough to post up smaller guards," Young said. "We are excited about his love of the game of basketball, he's a young man who truly loves the game, studies the game and wants to get better every day."
Guard Eric Ferguson returns to Statesboro after attending the Winchendon School in Massachusetts. Ferguson, who averaged more than 20 points per game as a senior for the Blue Devils, scored 47 points in the 2008 Region 3-AAAA game. Ferguson will be a second generation Georgia Southern student, following both parents, Stella Washington and Cal Ferguson, a forward for the Eagles from 1989-91.
"Eric is a very gifted and special player who has tremendous size and athleticism for his position as well as a wealth of skill," Young said. "It's very rare that you find an individual with his combination of his size, athleticism and skill. We were fortunate he chose Georgia Southern because he could have played anywhere in the country.
"Eric is considered to be one of the top 25 prep school players in the country," Young said. "His best basketball is ahead of him and he continues to get better every day. Eric was a very good player coming out of high school and he's close to becoming a dominating player."
From Columbia High School, Sam Mike will follow the precedent of strong forwards from the Atlanta area coming to Georgia Southern. The 6-8, 220-lb. forward is a cousin of former NBA first-round draft pick Elden Campbell.
"A big, physical power forward who has all the elements of becoming a complete basketball player, Sam has a winning attitude, and comes from a winning program at Columbia High School," said Coach Young. "We are really excited about his potential and how he will fit into our program. Sam's a throw-back player who delivers the first blow whether he is on offense or defense."
Georgia Southern opens its 2009-10 campaign and begins the "C.Y." era tonight (Friday, Nov. 13th) with Reinhardt at Hanner Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
