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OGDEN, UTAH - Weber State head men's basketball coach, RANDY RAHE, has signed a couple of junior college players to national letters of intent for the 2008-09 season. Both players are 6-4, 185 and both come from high respected junior college programs. MARCUS CARSON (Oakland, California / Oakland HS - Paris (Texas) JC) and NICK HANSEN (Pocatello, Idaho / Pocatello HS - College of Southern Idaho) have cast their lot with the Wildcats. Each will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Carson played one season at Paris JC under Coach Ross Hodge after transferring from Southern Utah University where red-shirted one season and played one season under former Thunderbird head coach Bill Evans. He averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds this past season helping Paris to a seventh place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. He earned Second Team All-League honors.
"Marcus is an unselfish player who could have scored more but opted to be a team oriented player," said Paris head coach Ross Hodges. "As good a player as he is, Marcus is even a better person and student. He has high character and will fit nicely into Coach Rahe's system and be a credit to Weber State as a student."
Rahe said he and his staff have had their eyes on Carson and were pleased to be able to bring him aboard.
"We've had our eyes on Marcus for quite sometime and are very excited about him becoming a Wildcat," said Rahe. "He an excellent athlete with a well rounded game. He cane score, pass and defend. Best of all, he's a team guy first, always looking to make those around him better and loves to compete. Having already played at the Division One level he will be ready to step in and make an immediate impact in our program."
Hansen comes to WSU after a sterling two-year career at the College of Southern Idaho where he played for Coach Barrett Peery. Hansen played his freshman season (2004-05) then left to serve a two-year LDS Church mission to Mexico. As a sophomore in 2007-08, Hansen averaged 10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game helping the Golden Eagles to the Scenic West Conference regular season championship. During his two-year career at CSI the team posted an overall record of 63-5. Hansen was named Second Team All-Scenic West and was named the College of Southern Idaho's 2007-08 Male Athlete of the Year.
"Nick is a tough competitor," said Peery. "He's an excellent perimeter shooter and was one of the best rebounding guards in our conference this season. He's a good athlete, good student and good citizen."
Rahe said one of the top recruiting priorities this season was to improved the team's perimeter shooting and Hansen fits the bill nicely.
"We are thrilled to have Nick join our program," said Rahe. "He has the ability and passion to become very successful in our program. He's tough, he's competitive and is an outstanding shooter from the perimeter. He's a person of high character, a team oriented player and is focused in on the academic side as well."
Rahe said the ‘Cats could sign one or possibly two more players before June.
