Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNS THREE PLAYER DURING EARLY PERIOD
11.14.05 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA-- Temple University men's basketball coach John Chaney announced today the signing of three high school seniors to National Letters of Intent. Luis Guzman (Paramus Catholic/Paramus, NJ), Mike Scott (Deep Creek/Chesapeake, VA) and Matt Shaw (Fairfax/Los Angeles, CA) all signed NLI's during the NCAA's early signing period which began on November 9.
"This is one of the better classes that we have had in many years," said the Owls' Hall of Fame coach. "My coaching staff headed by Dan Leibovitz did a magnificent job of evaluating and recruiting these youngsters. It is one of the best jobs that my staff has ever done. Each of these young men comes to Temple from fine programs. They all are starters and leaders on the court."
Guzman, a 6-2, 180-pound guard, averaged 17 points, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading Paramus Catholic to a 19-7 record and the County Finals as a junior in 2004-05. A three-year starter, he earned first team all-Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League and all-County honors last year. He enters his senior campaign having already amassed 1,014 points.
"He is an exciting player," states Paramus head coach Tony Campbell, who played over a decade in the NBA. "A gym rat who is going to bring hard work and dedication to Temple. This is a good marriage with Coach Chaney. He is a freshman who is going to come in and be guided by Coach Chaney's tutelage."
Scott, a 6-7, 200-pound forward, averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots per game while leading Deep Creek High to a 16-7 mark and a second place finish in the Southeastern District as a junior in 2004-05. In his first full year as a starter, Scott earned first team all-District honors and was named Regional Defensive Player of the Year.
"He is a very versatile player, playing the four and five positions for us," said Deep Creek head coach Leroy Ricks. "He will probably be a wing player in college. He possesses nice shooting range. He has good post up skill and is a solid ball-handler."
Shaw, a 6-8, 240-pound forward/center, averaged 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while helping national power Fairfax High to a 26-5 record and a berth in the state finals in 2004-05. Shaw earned second team all-Western League honors last year as a junior and will play an important role on this year's team that is ranked first in the state and fifth nationally by Street & Smith's.
"He has the ability to really dominate a game at our level," said Fairfax head coach Harvey Kitani. "I compare him a lot to Craig Smith (Boston College) who played for us. At this stage he does some things better than Craig and it will be exciting to see him develop as years go on. He will be a really good player for Temple."
Temple opens its 2005-06 season Tuesday, November 15 against Army at the Liacouras Center in the NIT Season Tip Off.
