Pack basketball inks six ballers for 2009-10 roster

Signing class includes two senior transfers from Division II colleges

PUEBLO, Colo. (May 5, 2009) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball program has added six new student-athletes to its 2009-10 roster, head coach Patrick Eberhart announced Wednesday.  The Pack's 2009-10 class is rich in players who can play the post and excel in the backcourt.

The class includes two senior transfers: former Grand Canyon University guard Kevin Daugherty (Sr., Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill HS/Trinidad State JC) and Eastern Washington post player Chris Busch (Sr., Oakland, Calif./San Leandro HS/Merritt (CA) College/Santa Rosa (CA) JC); three junior college transfers: guard Donell Wells (Jr., Denver, Colo./Denver East HS/Trinidad State JC), post Matt Fochtman (Jr., Millbrae, Calif./Mills HS/Skyline (CA) College), forward Kris Lawrie (Jr., Gardena, Calif./Serra HS/El Camino (CA) College); and Texas high school standout Nathan Tigner (Fr., Fort Worth, Tex./North Crowley HS).

Daugherty, a 6-foot native of Aurora and graduate of Smoky Hill High School, comes to CSU-Pueblo after a season at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., where he averaged 2.2 points per game and 0.9 rebounds per game.  Daugherty came over from Trinidad State Junior College, where he helped lead the Trojans to its first NJCAA Final Four appearance in over a decade, averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game. 

"Kevin brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our point guard position," Eberhart said. "He will be a good defender and be able to make plays in transition."

Daugherty is joined on the ThunderWolves by another TSJC alum, Wells, who was the Trojans' leading scorer both as a freshman and sophomore, scoring 19.3 points per game as a freshman before following up with a sophomore campaign where he averaged 20.2 points per game.  The 5-foot-11 Wells was a two-time NJCAA All-Region IX first-team selection, and finished his career at TSJC averaging four assists and two steals per game, a three-point percentage of 38 percent and a free-throw percentage at 84 percent.  As a prep, Wells was an all-Colorado selection as a senior, leading Denver East to the 2007 5A State Championship.

"Donell's a winner," Eberhart said. "He will bring that winning attitude to program.  He can score in bunches and will be fun to watch in transition."

Busch, a 6-foot-6 post who averaged 4.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season in limited play at Eastern Washington University, will play at his fourth school in 2009-10 after stints at Merritt College in Oakland, Calif. and Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, Calif.  The Oakland-native led the Bay Valley Legue in scoring while at Merritt, averaging 20.9 points per game and taking down 8.9 boards per contest, sinking 51 percent of his shots.  At Santa Rosa, he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game.

"Chris brings size to our team," Eberhart said. "He can score inside and out, rebound and should be a good leader for our team."

Fochtman, a 6-foot-7 post, comes to CSU-Pueblo after averaging 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest during his sophomore season at Skyline College in San Bruno, Calif.  Fochtman recorded 1.8 blocks per game, sank 66.4 percent of his shots (4th highest in the state of California) and recorded seven double-doubles during 2008-09 en route to an all-conference honorable mention selection.  Fochtman prepped at Mills High School in Millbrae, Calif.

"Matt brings size to our post position," Eberhart said. "He has great ability to score around the basket with either hand and he should be one of our anchors on our post."

Rounding out CSU-Pueblo's junior college signees is 6-foot-4 forward Lawrie from El Camino College in Torrance, Calif.  As a freshman, Lawrie was an all-conference selection, recorded 12.7 points and 7.2 boards per game.  Lawrie recorded 1.7 blocked shots and 1.5 steals per game at El Camino, and is ranked among the top 100 collegiate prospects in the state of California.   During his sophomore season, Lawrie played an entire season with a torn meniscus, and still averaged 13.8 points per game with 4.0 boards per contest, sinking 56 percent of his shots. 

"Kris brings a versatility to our program," Eberhart said. "He can play around the basket or on the perimeter, is a very good defender, and should add to our depth."

The Pack's final signee is high school prospect Tigner, who was the point guard on a North Crowley team that was ranked in the nation's top 50 high schools in 2008-09 by ESPN.  Tigner was ranked as the 42nd best high school prospect in the state of Texas by TexasRoundball.com, and helped guide North Crowley to the 2008 5A Texas state championship.  He was a two-time all-district selection at North Crowley, averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 assists and 3.3 steals per game as a senior. 

"Nathan is a winner and he's played against great competition throughout his high school career," Eberhart said. "He should be able to compete for minutes at our point guard spot right away."

CSU-Pueblo will open its 2009-10 basketball season on Nov. 21 at the Al Kaly Classic, held at CSU-Pueblo's Massari Arena.