Thursday, November 22, 2007

Dukes receive first signed national letter of intent from 6-2 guard Johnny Higgins




Post Gazette beat writer Phil Axelrod gives us the details

Duquesne's press release

Scout.com's review of Higgins

Higgins averaged 15.5 points last season at Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) under Bill Barton, now an assistant at Duquesne, so it isn't a surprise he is coming to the Dukes or the first to sign. Barton is the newest Dukes coach, and it is no secret that he was brought in to get recruits like Higgins.

Johnny Higgins is listed as a 3 star recruit by Rivals.com

Coach Everhart expects to get signatures from 6-9 Ali Abdou Djim, 6-7 Shawntez Patterson and 5-10 Eric Evans. What is most telling about this is that Schenley's 6-4 Deandre Kane is not mentioned. Kane had verbally committed to the Dukes in July however his comments regarding the commitment were not very committal: "I didn't fully commit yet, I just gave a verbal commitment. It's not like it's locked in stone yet."

Kane had also been recruited by Pitt, Illinois, Penn State, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Wyoming and Toledo.

Duquesne will graduate three players from this years team, seniors Gary Tucker and Reggie Jackson, along with graduate student Kieron Achara. There has also been speculation that Shawn James will at least contemplate giving up his final year of eligibility to turn pro after this season as well. It has been reported that the Dukes had 5 scholarships’ to give, however I am not sure if that 5th scholarship is contingent on James leaving the team or not.

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