Three Big Additions To FSU Hoops

Posted Nov 22, 2006 by Aaron Knox

Updated Nov 22, 2006 at 02:41 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 trio since he has only been playing organized basketball for three years and is the tallest player Hamilton has signed since taking over FSU four years ago.

The most talented at this point is Vaughn, a dominant inside-outside player who averaged a double-double as a junior while making 32 3-pointers. Vaughn caught Hamilton’s attention as a member of the highly successful D.C. Assault team on the AAU circuit. He was a teammate of current Seminole Uche Echefu at Montrose Christian (Md.) High in 2004-05.

“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. His plays a strong inside-outside game that will complement the players who are already in our system.’‘