Lutz Inks Three For 2005-06 Season

Lutz Inks Three For 2005-06 Season

Standout Class Headlined By Two Junior College Teammates; N.C. Prep Star

Nov. 12, 2004

Halton Arena - Charlotte 49ers men's basketball head coach Bobby Lutz has announced the signing of three players to National Letters-of-Intent and Grant-In Aid Scholarships to play basketball for the 49ers beginning in 2005-06. Antwon Coleman (Great Falls, S.C.) and Jerell Jamison (Cayce, S.C.) are teammates at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill. Mitch Mullis (Thomasville, N.C.) is completing his high school career at Laurinburg Institute. Coleman and Jamison will enter as juniors while Mullis is an incoming freshman.

Coleman, a 6-7; 285 lb. forward who was the 2003 Charlotte Observer's South Carolina Boys Player of the Year while at Great Falls High School, averaged 11.2 points and 3.6 rebounds last season at Wabash Valley. Van Coleman, of Lindy's College Basketball, ranks Antwon as the #3-rated center prospect in junior college while HoopScoop Online (Clark Francis) ranks him 22nd among the nation's top junior college players.





"Antwon has excellent hands and quick feet for a guy his size," said Lutz. "He is a strong inside player and also a very good passer. Antwon will be a strong post-up player for us and he will be a factor in the Atlantic 10. He is a very intelligent player."

"Antwon chose Charlotte over some pretty nice program," said Wabash head coach Toby Madison. "I think the deciding factor was that his family can enjoy watching him play over the next two years. He is so skilled for his size, and when the Charlotte coaching staff works with him physically, he will be even better. He is a great kid who will be a hit on the campus and in the community."

Jamison, a 6-5, 195 lb. small forward, averaged 7.6 points and three rebounds, last season. He has been ranked as the third-best wing forward by Blue Chip Hoops (Scout.com). A slashing wing, Jamison is known as a superior defender.

"Jerell is very underrated," said Lutz. "He is an excellent athlete and a tremendous competitor. He will contribute in every way because he defends and rebounds in addition to being able to score. Jerell's intensity is his best attribute."

"Jerell fits really nice into what they do as far as running up and down the floor and pressuring on defense," Madison said. "He is a very good athlete who plays so hard and does all of the little things that allow you to win. He works hard on and off the court."

"Charlotte was very aggressive with Antwon and Jerell," Madison added. "They did a great job showing both of them that they truly wanted and needed them in the basketball program. Charlotte will be good for them and vice versa. I look forward to seeing them have success for the 49ers."

Mullis, a 6-7; 230 forward, averaged 21.8 points and 11.0 rebounds last year as a first team all-Central Carolinas 2A Conference player at East Davidson High School. Now in his final high school season at Laurinburg Institute, Mullis verbally committed to the 49ers last December. He spent two years at Forsyth Country Day prior to heading to East Davidson, last year. During his final year at Forsyth Country Day, he averaged 16.6 points, 11.8 rebounds while shooting 67% from the field. His previous year, there, he averaged 13 points and seven rebounds.

"Mitch will be a versatile forward for us," Lutz said. "He is a physical player who will battle inside but also has the potential to play on the perimeter, as well. I'm excited about his toughness and his desire to get better."

The 49ers are among the favorites to compete for the Conference USA Championships, following last year's C-USA regular-season co-championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament. The 49ers have been to four NCAA Tournaments in Lutz's six seasons as head coach.

 

Coleman's size will be welcome - odd we can get the thick guys, just not the tall ones.
Hope Mullis can shoot.