SoCalHoops Recruiting News

UC Riverside Signs John Galbreath
Of Big Bend CC--(Apr. 13, 2001)

The Highlanders are well on their way toward becoming a factor in NCAA D-I basketball next season when they join the Big West Conference, and today they announced the signing of their third player for the spring signing period, John Galbreath (6'-7" JUCO So.  PF) from Big Bend Community College, which is located in Moses Lake, Washington.  The other two signees thus far are Rickey Porter of Mater Dei, and Cedric Lusk from Cerritos College.

While the press release didn't say so, Galbreath is 6'-7", a sophomore in junior college and he's a forward Ritzville, Washington (in case you needed to know, Ritzville is located 60 miles west of Spokane, Washington, 77 miles north of the Tri-Cities, and approximately 260 miles east of Seattle, in a region known mostly for oat, wheat, corn and barley farming.. . . just in case you were curious).  From looking at Galbreath's stats from this year (which can be found at the Big Bend CC Athletics website and the NWAACC website, the organization which is the governing body for sports at Community Colleges in Norwestern Washington), it looks like he's one heck of a player and will be a great addition to a very young Highlanders team.  The only questin we have is how the heck did Coach Masi manage to keep this guy a secret. . . maybe other recruiters will have to investigate the area by dropping into the Port of Lake Moses because obviously, the fishing is really good up there.

Here's the press release we received from the UCR today:  

UC Riverside Highlanders Menıs Basketball Signs
John Galbreath of Big Bend CC to National Letter of Intent

The UC Riverside menıs basketball team announced the signing of forward John Galbreath of Big Bend Community College to a National Letter of Intent Friday. Galbreath averaged a league-high 30 points per game and helped lead the Runnin' Vikes to a 25-7 record and a fourth place finish at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Championships. He was named NWAACC East Region 2001 MVP and participated in the Sophomore All-Star Game.

In 27 games at Big Bend Community College last season, Galbreath scored a league-high 809 points and shot 65% from the field. He averaged 5.9 rebounds per game and was successful on 84% of his free throws (263-of-313).

"John is an outstanding addition to our program," UC Riverside Head Coach John Masi said. "He is a complete player and will give us a much needed boost offensively in our front line. We are expecting John to make an immediate impact next season."

Galbreath is the third signing for the Highlanders. Also joining the team will be Cedric Lusk, a 6-7 swingman who played for Cerritos College's 2000 state JC championship team before taking a year off to concentrate on academics, and Rickey Porter, a 6-3 combo guard who averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists at Mater Dei HS. Lusk committed in the Fall signing period and Porter signed Wednesday.

"Cedric Lusk is a very versatile athlete who can play as many as three positions. He comes from a winning program and will bring experience and leadership to our program," Masi said. "Rickey Porter is also a tremendous addition to our program. Playing at Mater Dei has prepared him for the next level."

UCR finished at 8-17 overall last season as the Highlanders played their first-ever schedule against Division I opponents. The Highlanders will join the Big West Conference for the 2001-02 school year.

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