Three Big Additions To FSU Hoops

Posted Nov 22, 2006 by Aaron Knox

Updated Nov 22, 2006 at 02:34 PM

TALLAHASSEE—Florida State men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton made it official Tuesday, announcing the signings of center Solomon Alabi and forwards Julian Vaughn and Jordan DeMercy to national letters-of-intent.

Vaughn, a 6-foot-9 forward from Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, and 7-foot-1 center Alabi from Montverde Academy near Orlando, give Hamilton much-needed size in the frontcourt for next season. DeMercy is a 6-6 guard/forward from Norcross (Ga.) who selected FSU over George Mason and Ole Miss.

“As we continue to grow into a program of significance in the ACC and nationally, we are very pleased to continue to bring outstanding talent into our program,’’ Hamilton said. “We addressed and met specific needs with this class.’‘

Alabi is the most intriguing of the three prospects since he only moved to the United States three years ago and started playing organized basketball. He chose FSU over Arizona and Virginia.

The most talented as this stage of their career is Vaughn, a dominant inside-outside player who averaged a double-double as a junior while making 32 3-pointers.

“Julian is a 6-9 high post player with a tremendous feel for the game,’’ Hamilton said. “He has good ball-handling, passing and shooting skills for big guy. He also has good footwork and outstanding low-post moves. He plays a strong inside-outside game that will complement the players who are already in our system.’‘