HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball coach announced Thursday that Antonnio Benton has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Lions in the 2010-11 season.
The addition of Benton, a 6-foot-7 forward from Hattiesburg, Miss., increases Southeastern total of 2010-11 commitments to five. Benton, who prepped at Hattiesburg's Oak Grove High School, joins prep teammate and early signee Jeremy Campbell, Michael Harrell of Southern Lab, Onochie Ochie of Albany, Ga., and junior college transfer Josh Lockett.
“We're very excited that Antonnio will be joining our program,” Yarbrough said. “He has great skill and has a large upside to his collegiate career. He brings a lot of similarities that
Patrick Sullivan brought to our program when he came out of high school.”
Benton averaged 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds last season at Oak Grove High where he was coached by Vandarel Jones. Benton, who was rated as the 25th-best player in Mississippi by HoopScoopOnline.com, shot 61 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the free throw line for the Warriors.
Benton earned honorable mention Class 5A All-State notice last season and was an all-district selection. Last year, he was selected to play in the Mississippi North-South All-Star Game after his junior campaign.
Southeastern finished 19-12 overall last season and advanced to the semifinals of the State Farm/Southland Conference Tournament. The Lions return nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team.
2010-11 Southeastern Louisiana University Men's Basketball Signing Class
Antonnio Benton, F, 6-7, 190, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Oak Grove HS)
# Jeremy Campbell, G, 6-3, 190, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Oak Grove HS)
# Michael Harrell, G, 5-10, 170, Baton Rouge, La. (Southern Lab HS)
#** Josh Lockett, F/C, 6-8, 250, Pensacola, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS/Wabash Valley College)
#Onochie Ochie, F, 6-6, 180, Albany, Ga. (Westover HS)
# - Early signee
** - Junior college transfer; will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2010-11
