|
 YPSILANTI, MI — Eastern Michigan University Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Murphy has announced the addition two players to the Eagles ranks. Glen Oaks Community College standout Austin Harper (6-2, guard) (Grand Haven, Mich.-Grand Haven) will be eligible immediately. Dashonte Riley, who suited up for Syracuse, where Murphy was an assistant last year, is a 7-foot center with two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2010-11 campaign.
MURPHY CAN MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT
“Austin brings athleticism and leadership to our backcourt,” Murphy said of Harper. “His ability to play both guard positions will allow him to make an immediate impact.”
“I made a visit to Eastern and felt a connection with the coaches,” Harper said of his decision to join the EMU men's basketball program. “I felt that this was a good fit for me and it is a great opportunity to continue my basketball career.”
The 6-foot-2 Harper played just one season at Glen Oaks after redshirting as a freshman at Western Michigan University in 2009-10 and will have three years of eligibility for the Eagles.
Harper made the most of his one year at Glen Oaks, after leading the junior-college ranks in assists with 9.9 per game to help lead the team to an 18-11 record in 2010-11. He averaged 15.4 points, second-best on the team, and connected on 29-of-67 three-point attempts for 43 percent. He shot 76 percent from the line, making 57-of-75 shots, and made 173-of-311 field goals for 56 percent.
As a senior in 2008-09, Harper was a first-team Class A All-State selection by the Detroit Free Press, was named to the Basketball Coaches' Association (BCAM) of Michigan All-State team, was selected as a Bankhoops.com Class A second-team choice and was an honorable mention All-State pick by The Detroit News. In addition, he was a McDonald's All-American candidate. He completed his senior season at Grand Haven as the leading scorer in the West Michigan All-Star Game and also played in the BCAM Class A/B All-Star Game. He averaged 16.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals during his senior season on a team that finished with a 17-8 record and a district championship.
As a junior, Harper helped lead Grand Haven to a co-O-K Red Conference championship while averaging 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals on a team that finished 15-6 and was named honorable mention All-State by the Associated Press.
During his high school career, Harper was a two-time O-K Red Conference selection and a three-time Class A-B All-Area basketball selection by The Muskegon Chronicle.
RILEY BRINGS SIZE AND SKILLS
"We're very fortunate to get a player with the ability, skill and size of DaShonte in our program," Murphy said. "DaShonte is also a quality young man which makes it great to have him join us here at EMU."
"Syracuse has a great program with a lot of tradition and was a very good environment, but I wanted to be closer to my family," Riley said of his transfer. "Obviously, Coach Murphy recruited me at Syracuse and we already had a great connection so that is why I chose to come to Eastern Michigan."
The 7-foot Riley, a graduate of Detroit Country Day , was a member of the Syracuse men's basketball program the past two years. He played in 17 games as a true freshman in 2009-10 and saw extensive playing time in the NCAA Tournament while filling in for starting center Arinze Onauku. He finished the year with a 1.4 scoring average and a 1.5 rebound mark.
Riley was awarded a medical hardship in 2010-11 after breaking his foot. After sitting out the 2011-12 season he will have two seasons of eligibility for the Eagles.
While a high school player, Riley earned All-State honors as a senior on Head Coach Kurt Keener's Country Day squad. Riley participated in the 2009 adidas Kentucky Derby Classic and was named 15th team All-American by Hoop Scoop.
He was ranked ninth among the centers in the Class of 2009 by Scout.com and was rated the 17th center and 123 overall in the Class of 2009 by Rivals.com. He was the captain of the team that finished 28-2. Country Day won four games in the state tournament before falling to Flint Powers Catholic in the quarterfinals.
As a junior, Country Day was 25-5 overall, falling to Flint Powers Catholic in the state quarterfinals. During his sophomore year, Riley helped lead Country Day to the class B state championship on the way to a 25-7 record. He was named to the MHSAA state playoff All-Tournament Team that seaon.
Courtesy of EMUEagles.com
|
