Former 49er Iti heading to New Mexico St.

Former 49er Iti heading to New Mexico St.

Coach Reggie Theus has 3 transfers

JENA JANOVY

Staff Writer


Former Charlotte 49ers center Martin Iti will transfer to New Mexico State to play for former NBA All-Star Reggie Theus, who says the near 7-footer "no question" has NBA potential.

Theus, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant under Louisville coach Rick Pitino, said Monday he was "ecstatic" Iti was joining the Aggies.

"I know where I can help him and what I can do to make him the best player he can possibly be," Theus said.

Iti averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 29 games as a sophomore last season. He'll have to sit out next season per NCAA rules and would have two years of eligibility left starting in 2006-07.

"With the year off, if he's a gym rat and works his behind off and understands his goals and where he wants to be in his basketball career, this is his opportunity to set himself on that pace," Theus said.

Iti is the third transfer signed since Theus was named coach in March to replace Lou Henson. This is Theus' first head coaching job.

Asked how Iti landed with the Aggies, Theus said he received a call from a friend. Asked if the friend was Iti's guardian, Courtney Rosegreen, Theus said yes.

The Aggies (6-24) went 1-14 in the Sun Belt Conference last season, the worst record in the league. They will move to the Western Athletic Conference next season.


http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/11664460.htm

 

The Aggies have also signed 7-foot center Martin Iti, a transfer from UNC-Charlotte who was ranked by ESPN.com after his senior year of high school two years ago as the eighth-best prep player in the country.

"Anytime you can get a player that is 7-foot, 240 pounds, has the ability to shoot the shot from the perimeter, has the post up game and has the ability to be a first round draft pick in the NBA in a few years, is a tremendous get for this program," Theus said. "What Martin wants is to get better and in the year that he is out, we will work with him on the things that he needs to do so that when he is eligible, we will have a guy that can be a force in the league. When you look at the opportunity to have a future first round draft pick on the team, it is a great day for the Aggies."



Obviously, this guy has never seen Iti play.

 

or this gem....

"With the year off, if he's a gym rat and works his behind off and understands his goals and where he wants to be in his basketball career, this is his opportunity to set himself on that pace," Theus said.

 

Looks like Reggie Theus should have stayed on Saturday morning TV with dick Butkus. What was that gay hoops show on NBC?

 

First smart move by this kid, got out while he could!

 

Left Charlotte for a 1-14 team. Glad he left but the kid ain't all that bright.

 

Maybe a better opportunity than was he was getting at Charlotte. For whatever reason he wasn't getting any better at Charlotte. Now he will either step up or prove that is was him that couldn't do it.

 

As long as his handler is involved, Iti will get no better.

This is the funny part...

 

Hey, I have already said that. We are thin this year and I mean thin, we could always use the 2nd coming of Sanders.

Then we could have the twin useless schollys on the floor at the same time.

Seriously, we probably could use him, hell we could use Shav for 5 fouls a game.