cedric and richardson sign with sac state

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Cedric Thompkins & Jay Richardson
Sign LOI's With Sac-State--(Apr. 19, 2000)

We're not certain how we missed these two signings, but with all the confusion about who the new coaches were going to be at Sacramento State after the firing of Tom Abetamarco, it now appears that order has once again been restored. . . .not only is Abetamarco gone and a new interim coaching staff appointed, but the coaches have signed two players in the last week from Southern California: Cedric Thompkins (6'-7" Sr. F) from Westchester, and Jay Richardson (6'-7" So. PF), a JUCO transfer from Cuesta College, who graduated from Lompoc Cabrillo HS two years ago. Thompkins and Richardson will join Chris Armstrong (6'-4" Sr. PG) from Modesto Calvary Temple and David Joyner (6'-6" Sr. SF/SG) from Rialto HS who signed LOI's last fall in the early signing period while Abetamarco was still the head coach.

First, here's the latest press release from Sac State on the signings of Cedric and Richardson:

SACRAMENTO STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL INKS TWO
PLAYERS FOR UPCOMING YEAR
Release Date: 4/13/00

— The California State University, Sacramento men’s basketball program announced the signing of two recruits head coach Jerome Jenkins announced today. Forwards Cedric Thompkins and Jay Richardson have signed National Letters of Intent and will enroll in the fall semester.

“I am very excited to have both of these players,” Jenkins said. “These are the type of athletes we wanted. Both will fit nicely into our program.”

Thompkins comes to the Hornets from Westchester High School in Los Angeles. The 6-7 forward averaged 12 points per game last season and helped lead Westchester to the city championship. He chose Sacramento State over Long Beach State, Saint Mary’s and Eastern Washington.

“Cedric is strong around the hoop,” Jenkins said. “He has a strong left and right hand and is a very good athlete. He is also a top-level defender and runs the floor well.”

Richardson comes to Sacramento State after playing last season at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Last year, he helped the Cougars to a 22-13 overall record while averaging 15.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Richardson started 33 of the 35 games he appeared in and shot .449 from the floor, .352 from three-point range and .759 from the free throw line. As a freshman, Richardson attended Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. He graduated from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, Calif., in 1998 where he earned all-section, all-county and all-league honors. Richardson was also recruited by Tulsa, UTEP, Providence, Texas Tech and Eastern Washington.

“Jay is very versatile,” Jenkins said. “He is a big man that can also shoot the three. He runs the floor well and is a good finisher.”

Thompkins and Richardson are joined by Chris Armstrong and David Joyner who both signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

As for the new coaches, the school also issued a small press release about Jerome Jenkins, who he is, where he's from and what he intends to accomplish. While some of the release focused on the termination of Abetamarco, here's the portion which dealt with the appointment of Jenkins as the interim head coach:

While the process of hiring a new head men’s basketball coach is underway, assistant coach Jerome Jenkins will assume additional duties over the men’s basketball program as the assistant coach in charge, Colberg said. Jenkins, a native of Los Angeles, was largely credited for installing the Hornets’ defense that finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky Conference in turnover margin and second in the league in scoring defense (behind only NCAA tournament-bound Northern Arizona).

“Jerome came into the program this past year and earned the respect of his players, fellow coaches and the entire staff,” Colberg said. “He has proven himself as both a solid coach and mentor for this team and his leadership over the next few months will be critical for the basketball program as it transitions to a new head coach.”

Jenkins, who oversaw the day-to-day operations of the basketball office this past year, joined the Hornet staff in the summer of 1999 after having served two years as Eastern Washington University’s backcourt coach and lead recruiter. He also served as the coordinator of scouting and financial aid while with the Eagles’ program.

Prior to his time in the Eastern Washington program, Jenkins spent four years as a member of the Diablo Valley College coaching staff (two years as an assistant coach and two years as associate head coach).

Finally, here's the latest press release which confirms that one of Jay Richardson's coaches at Cuesta College will be joining him at Sac-State (or, as we said, vice-versa):

CANTU NAMED ASSISTANT COACH FOR SACRAMENTO STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
Release Date: 4/11/00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State University, Sacramento men’s basketball program completed its coaching staff on Tuesday by hiring Bob Cantu as an assistant, it was announced today. Cantu, formerly an assistant coach at Cuesta College and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif.,
will join the staff immediately.

“I am very excited about the opportunities at Sacramento State,” Cantu said. “I believe we can win next year. We have a very athletic team and a young and energetic coaching staff.” Cantu spent the past three years as associate head coach at Cuesta. While with the Cougars, he served as the recruitment and placement coordinator and assisted in day-to-day coaching duties. In his three years at Cuesta, the team averaged 22 wins a season and claimed a pair of Western State Conference titles. In addition, Cuesta advanced to the state playoffs all three years and 17 players received scholarships from four-year institutions including 10 to Div. I schools.

Prior to his tenure at Cuesta, Cantu served as an administrative assistant at Cal Poly under head coach Jeff Schneider. His responsibilities with the Mustangs included film exchange and directing the team’s summer basketball camps. Cantu served as director of the camps from its inception and helped raise participation to over 600 in two years.

Outside of the coaching ranks, Cantu is also the founder and director of Fundamental Basketball Camps. Cantu graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1992 and received a sociology degree from Chapman University in 1997. He currently is on pace to earn his master’s degree in sports administration from the United States Sports Academy in June.

“I’m very excited about Bob’s arrival and I think he can take our staff to another level,” head coach Jerome Jenkins said. “He’s extremely hungry like the rest of us and comes from a highly respectable junior college program (Cuesta College).

“He has an outstanding work ethic and will bring more respectability to Sacramento State basketball.”