uop signings

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Around The Big West: Mihailovic,
Purnell & White Sign With UOP--(Nov. 14, 2002)

Two players from Southern California have signed National Letters of Intent with Big West Conference team University of Pacific in Stockton yesterday: Marko Mihailovic (6'-5" So. F) who is currently attending Santa Monica City College and Allan Purness (6'-4" So. G) who is at Fullerton College, both signed NLI's. Mihailovic was originally recruited by Cal State Fullerton and other Big West schools out of Pacific Palisades HS, but attended JC instead. Purnell was a standout player at Savanna HS in Orange County.

Here's the official press release issued late today by UOP:

PACIFIC MEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNS THREE FOR 2003-04

STOCKTON, Calif.- University of the Pacific Head Basketball Coach Bob Thomason announced today the signing of three prospects for the 2003-04 basketball season. The Tigers have signed Marko Mihailovic, Allan Purnell and Michael White to national letters of intent.

Mihailovic, a 6-5 guard from Pacific Palisades, Calif., is a sophomore at Santa Monica Junior College in Santa Monica, Calif. He averaged 9.8 points, 4.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game last season, earning All-Western State Conference Honorable Mention honors. Marko scored in double figures 15 times during the season, including a career-high 24 points against Skyline College. He also grabbed 52 steals.

"Marko is a big, strong, guard, who can play one, two or three positions," said Thomason. "His versatility will be a tremendous asset to us. We feel Marko has a chance to become an excellent guard for us. We are looking forward to coaching him next season."

Purnell is a 6-4 guard beginning his second season at Fullerton College in Fullerton, Calif. He was third on the team in scoring (12.3ppg) and second on the team in rebounding (4.6rpg). Purnell is an outside threat, hitting 28 treys last season and was third in the Orange Empire Conference with an .873 free throw percentage. He had a career-high 29 points last season against Orange Coast College, which was the fifth highest point total in the OEC last season. At Savanna High School in Anaheim, Purnell earned All-Orange League honors twice.

"Allan is a great young man with a desire to be an excellent player," said Thomason. "We feel he will play both the two and three positions for us. Allan will add strength, toughness and scoring to our perimeter next season."

White is a 6-8 forward from Capitola, Calif. He is entering his final year at Monte Vista Christian High School in Watsonville, Calif. Last season, White averaged 16.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, earning Second Team All-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League honors. Michael is the team captain, and is hoping to lead Monte Vista Christian HS back to the CIF Division V NorCal finals.

"Michael is a good low post player," said Thomason. "We love his size and strength. He runs the court well, has great hands and an ability to score around the basket. We are looking forward to having Michael in our program for four years."