SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Big West:  CSUN Signs 2:
Shewmake & Sullivan--(Nov. 15, 2001)

CSUN has signe two big men from the class of 2002, Thomas Shewmake (6'-10" Sr. F) from Cathedral City HS, and Ben Sullivan (6'-9 Sr. F) from Lake Oswego, Oregon (it's the same high school where Salim Stoudamire played last year).  We reported the verbal of Thomas Shewmake a couple of days ago, but weren't sure whether he would sign in the early period, or wait until the spring.  In any event, here's the official press release from CSUN:

Matador Head Coach Bobby Braswell Signs Two in Early Period for 2002-03 Class

Cal State Northridge head men’s basketball coach Bobby Braswell has announced the first two signings of his sixth full recruiting class in Thomas Shewmake and Ben Sullivan. The pair are both ranked among the top 20 big men on the West coast. 

Shewmake, a 6-10, 240-pound center out of Cathedral City, Calif., is the 25th recruit to sign a National Letter of Intent with the Matadors during the Braswell era and the first signee of the early signing period. 

“We are very excited to have Thomas Shewmake be a part of this basketball program and family,” Braswell said. “He is a true center and has great skills for a player his size. He can run the floor well and can score from outside or inside. I think he’s going to be a tremendous player for our program for years to come. Coach (John) Dahlager did an excellent job of recruiting Thomas.”  

Last season as a junior at Cathedral City High School, Shewmake led his team to a to a Desert Valley League championship while averaging 15.6 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for head coach Rob Hanmer. Shewmake is ranked as the seventh-best center on the West Coast. Shewmake is a two-year starter and has played three years of varsity basketball, winning three straight Desert Valley League titles. Cathedral City HS has recorded an overall record of 65-20 in his three years while posting a 29-3 record in league play. Shewmake already owns three CCHS single-game basketball records (most rebounds, 27; most blocked shots, 10; best field goal percentage, 92.9 percent, 13-of-14). Last year he shot 62.5 percent (130-of-208) from the field while recording 107 blocks and 351 rebounds. Shewmake selected the Matadors over Utah State, Cal State Fullerton, Pacific and UC Riverside. 

Sullivan, a 6-9, 210-pound forward out of Lake Oswego, Ore., is the 26th recruit to sign a National Letter of Intent with the Matadors during the Braswell era and the second to sign during the early period. 

“We are also thrilled that Ben is joining our basketball program and family,” Braswell said. “He is a big man that can shoot the three-point shots as well as anybody. He may end up as our best long-range shooter next year. He is a very skilled player and is a great passer and can score on the inside, but his strength will be his ability to knock down jump shots. He is very similar to Brian Heinle and we feel like Heinle was a very important part of our success, so we are very pleased that Ben decided to join us and help us fill that void. Coach (Danny) Sprinkle did an outstanding job of recruiting Ben. Both Ben and Thomas will have a tremendous impact on our program.” 

Last season as a junior at Lake Oswego High School, Sullivan guided his team to a Final 16 appearance in the state championships and a Three Rivers League title while averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for head coach Mark Shoff. He was named second team All-Three Rivers League and is ranked as the 18th-best forward on the West Coast. Sullivan was also named to the Cage Reports All-Shooter Team, the first time in the publication’s history that a player 6-foot, 9-inches tall has been voted to that team. He plans on majoring in psychology at Cal State Northridge. Ben selected the Matadors over Portland, Columbia and UC Santa Barbara.

Please call Braswell at (818) 677-3231 if more information is needed.

BRASWELL’S SIXTH RECRUITING CLASS:
Thomas Shewmake C 6-10 240 Cathedral City, Calif. (Cathedral City HS) 15.6 ppg 12.1 rpg
Ben Sullivan F 6-9 210 Lake Oswego, Ore. (Lake Oswego HS) 11.0 ppg 5.0 rpg

©Copyright 1997-2001 All rights reserved
Questions? Comments? Need Information?
E-mail: jegesq@socalhoops.com