Men's Basketball Signs Stellar Recruiting Class

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Men's Basketball Signs Stellar Recruiting Class
Four Future Mustangs Sign NLIs For 2011-12

Nov. 12, 2010

DALLAS (SMU) --- SMU Head Coach Matt Doherty announced that four student-athletes have signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Mustangs beginning with the 2011-12 season. The class includes Cannen Cunningham, a four-star 6-8 center from Lamar High School in Arlington; Jalen Jones, a 6-6 three-star guard from Kimball High School in Dallas; Eric Norman, a two-star 6-6 forward from Francis W. Parker School in San Diego; and Ryan Manuel, a 6-4 three-star guard from Fort Bend Austin High School in Houston.

"Overall, this is one of the best recruiting classes SMU has had in recent history," says Doherty. "I am thrilled with this group of young men. By adding this class with last year's class, we have a foundation that will translate into success on the court for years to come."

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2011-12 SMU Men's Basketball Signees
Cannen Cunningham C 6-8 215 Arlington, Texas (Lamar HS)
Jalen Jones G 6-6 185 Dallas, Texas (Kimball HS)
Eric Norman F 6-6 190 San Diego, Calif. (Francis W. Parker School)
Ryan Manuel G 6-4 175 Houston, Texas (Fort Bend Austin HS)
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Cannen Cunningham (6-8, 215) is a center for coach Zach Burks at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas. Cunningham is a four-star signee rated as high as No. 18 among centers in this year's class.

"Cannen is long, athletic and skilled! He can pass, handle and shoot at 6-9. This will create a lot of problems for the opposition. Cannen has a great feel for the game. As he puts on some muscle and matures I believe the sky is the limit for him."

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Jalen Jones (6-6, 185) is a shooting-guard for coach Snoop Johnson at Kimball High School in Dallas. Jones averaged 18 points per game as a junior and is rated as high as No. 28 in Texas.

"Jalen is an excellent shooter and scorer that plays with an edge. He is one of the best competitors I saw last summer. At 6-6, he will be a tremendous wing scorer while also being a lock-down defender. Jalen is coached by Snoop Johnson at Kimball High School; the same school as SMU greats Jeryl Sasser and Quinton Ross. There is no reason why Jalen won't be mentioned in the same breath as Jeryl and Quinton. It is also the same high school as SMU junior London Giles, who transferred home to Dallas and SMU this summer."

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Eric Norman (6-6, 190) is a forward for coach Jim Tomey at Francis W. Parker School in San Diego. As a junior, Norman averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists as he helped his team to a 20-10 record.

"Eric is 6-8 and was the best shooter I saw last summer. We run the same offense as his coach, Jim Tomey at Francis Parker, so Eric will have a seamless transition to our program. As Eric gets stronger, I see him becoming a terrific player for us."

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Ryan Manuel (6-4, 175) is a shooting-guard for coach Chris Wilson at Fort Bend Austin High School in Houston. Manuel is a 2010-11 McDonald's All-American nominee that is rated as highs as No. 12 in Texas. As a junior, he averaged 19.7 points and was selected All-District First Team and team MVP.

"Ryan is a 6-4 Rajon Rhondo type guard. He has great speed with the ball and can really see the floor. I am excited about his ability to push the ball. Ryan will add size, speed and quickness to our backcourt, which are all good qualities!"

[ibezu2]

This sounds very familiar...what happened to that top 25 recruiting class of '07...the future of SMU basketball. I wouldn't start celebrating just yet...they haven't played under this "regime."