A look at the 2009 signing class in a quotable format. First quote about each player is from Coach Rupp. Second quote is from their current coach.
DeAndre Brown. 5’11 160 Point Junior College
“DeAndre Brown is a very tough, talented point guard who has great court awareness and really knows how to run a team. His ability to penetrate the defense and make plays, along with his ability to stretch defenses by hitting the long three-point shot makes him a very key signee and the type of player that will come in and contribute right away for us”, Rupp said. “DeAndre comes from an outstanding junior college program (Navarro Junior College) which has done an outstanding job of developing this young man both on and off the court. We are excited to continue the process with this young man here at Louisiana Tech.”
“DeAndre was a pleasant young man to coach,” Estelle said. “He was a great team player who took a lot of responsibility on, and he was a good leader on and off the floor. He really matured over this last year and showed everyone why he’s been a winner his whole life. He’s a big part of the reason we made it to the national tournament this year.”
Jarvis Davis. 5’11 170 Point High School “
Jarvis is a terrific addition for our program,” Rupp said. “I am really excited to have the opportunity to coach him every day here at Tech. He is a great kid with loads of talent and potential, and someone who will most definitely help us become a better team the moment he steps on campus.”
“He’s probably the fastest guy in the state this year baseline to baseline with the basketball,” Combs said. “His best basketball is still ahead of him. This past season was his third year in basketball, and every year we’ve made the playoffs. I expect him to be a great college player. Every year we’ve had him, he’s gotten exponentially better. He knows that to be on the next level he’s going to have to be a good passer but be a scorer when he needs to be.”
Kadeem Coleby 6’9 240 Forward High School
“Kadeem is a talented post player with excellent hands and outstanding overall low post skills,” Rupp said. “He will be a good low post scorer, defender and rebounder for us. His ability to run the floor and rebound the basketball will give him the opportunity to play a significant role for us as a freshman.”
“Kadeem was a hidden gem that (associate head coach Nikita) Johnson discovered out of the Bahamas,” Russell said. “He got involved with the AAU and he went Humble Christian for the exposure and academics that he needs. He’s come a long way, and he’s a hard working, athletic forwards that plays hard. He was getting some serious looks by high major schools over the past year, but Louisiana Tech worked really hard to get him to sign. They have a great plan for his development.”
Daruis Redding 6’4 205 Wing High School
“Darius is a terrific athletic basketball talent,” Rupp said. “His ability to beat players off the dribble and finish strong at the rim will be a tremendous asset. I really love his versatility as a basketball player, which will give him the opportunity to contribute as a freshman along with Kadeem.”
I’m biased, but I personally think he’s the best player in the Big Bend,” Colville describes Redding as a “highlight film player.”
