oregon signings

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Pac-10: Oregon Signs 3 To NLIs:
Kent, Lincoln & Joseph--(Nov. 15, 2001)

Again, not a single SoCal guy in this bunch, but you'll be seeing the Ducks when they make the swing through Southern California, and these guys will certainly be there to attempt to upset the Bruins and Trojans. Here's the official press release from Oregon on their three early signings:

Two of Oregon's Top Prep Players, JC
Scorer Sign NLI's with Duck Basketball
ESPN.com Top 100 recruit leads list; track team gets boost, too.

Nov. 14, 2001

EUGENE - Oregon men's basketball head coach Ernie Kent announced Wednesday that Andre Joseph, Jordan Kent and Brandon Lincoln have signed national letters of intent to play for the Ducks next season.

"We have signed three very good athletes which should keep our program very well stocked for the next four or five years," said Kent. "This is a versatile group that can fill a lot of needs."

Joseph, a 6-3 guard from Lee Junior College in Baytown, Texas, was initially recruited by the Ducks as freshman coming out of Furr High School in Houston, Texas. He signed with Stephen F. Austin out of Furr and redshirted his first year, but left after a coaching change.

Joseph transferred to Lee, where he averaged 15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a freshman. He helped Lee to an 18-13 record and a No. 10 final ranking in Texas. He was 14th in scoring in Region 14 and 10th in three-point field goal percentage at .382.

"When you recruit a JC player, you go after a specific need and Andre Joseph gives us instant scoring," said Kent. "He can really shoot the basketball."

Jordan, son of the Duck head coach and younger brother of current walk-on freshman Marcus Kent, is perhaps the top two-sport athlete in the state. He helped Churchill High School win state championships in both basketball and track. Jordan scored 12.8 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Lancers on the hardwood and scored 20 points in the state title game against Benson. He also led the Lancers to the track crown by winning Class 4A individual titles in the 400- and 200-meter races and long jump.

Jordan, a 6-4 guard, will compete in both basketball and track at Oregon.

"Obviously, Jordan will be an excellent addition to the men's track team," said UO track coach Martin Smith. "Similar to his situation in basketball, he's very young and still developing, but he shows unquestionable and exciting potential. On the track he would be an obvious candidate for us in the 200, 400, long jump and/or 4x400 relay. When you look at the marks he's already put up, they're illustrative of his potential at the Pac-10 and national level.

"Jordan's probably the most talented overall athlete on the Oregon state high school track and field level, so signing him is a feather in our cap," continued Smith. "To have someone of that level join your program reinforces our commitment to attracting and developing the best in-state talent."

"Jordan is obviously a great all-around athlete," said Kent. "He is a bigger player who can play a couple different positions for us."

Lincoln, a 6-4 guard from Portland's Jefferson High School, is shaping up as a marquee signee for the Ducks. He is currently ranked 67th among the nation's top 100 high school seniors by ESPN.com, and second in the state of Oregon. Lincoln is rated as a "Super Prospect" by FansOnly.com. He scored 11.6 points per game as a junior playing behind a pair of players, Aaron Miles and Michael Lee, who are now at Kansas.

"Brandon Lincoln comes from a great program in Portland and is going to be a tremendous asset," said Kent. "It's his turn to lead that program and he has a chance to win a state championship. For us, he's a player who could come in and play any one of three positions."

Lincoln was one of 43 prep players invited to the 2001 USA Basketball youth developmental festival, held June 14-18 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. He and Jordan Kent also participated in the Nike All-America Basketball Camp in July.

Oregon will graduate six seniors off the 2001-02 team, including four backcourt players - Frederick Jones, Anthony Lever, Ben Lindquist and walk-on Kristian Christensen. Center Chris Christoffersen and forward Mark Michaelis are also seniors.