May 16, 2006

Head men's basketball coach Ron Everhart has announced the signing of junior college teammates guard Gary Tucker (Pensacola, Fla./Southern Union College) and point guard Reggie Jackson (Hogansville, Ga./Southern Union College) and high-scoring high school senior Stephen "Sticks" Wood (Saint Albans, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) to National Letters of Intent.

The signing of the threesome brings the total number of Duquesne commitments to eight this spring for Everhart, who was named head coach at Duquesne just six weeks ago.

"I really like the way this class is coming together," said Everhart. "We have a nice mix of junior college players and high school and prep school talent. With the uptempo style we hope to play, having depth at all positions is a priority."

Tucker and Jackson formed the starting backcourt for a 20-12 Southern Union College (Wadley, Ala.) team that led the Alabama Community College Conference Division I in 3-pointers made per game (10.7) and 3-point percentage (57.6%) this past season. Tucker, a native of Pensacola, Fla., averaged 15.7 points and 4.0 assists, while Jackson, a Hogansville, Ga. native, handed out 8.3 assists and scored 9.5 points per game.

The 6-1, 185-pound Tucker shot 52.6 percent from the field and 41.2 percent (47-of-114) from the 3-point arc in 2006. He also added 37 steals and blocked 28 shots. Tucker, whose scoring average ranked ninth in ACCC Division I, averaged 28.5 points a game during the Alabama Junior College state tournament including a career-high 30 in the season finale versus Shelton State.

"Gary Tucker is a very high-octane athlete," said Everhart. "I think he fits our system really well. He knows how to score and he's also a very good defender. He's also a great leaper. He can really fly."

Jackson, a 5-11, 170-pound point guard, shot 52.7 percent (59-of-112) from the 3-point arc and posted seven double-doubles for the Bison in 2005-06. He ranked second in ACCC Division I in assists, fifth in 3-point shooting percentage and 12th in steals (1.9/g.). Jackson had a 2-to-1 (266-to-133) assist-to-turnover ratio last year.

Tucker and Jackson will both have two seasons of eligibility at Duquesne.

"Reggie is a very intelligent basketball player," said Everhart. "He's tough, quick and athletic. Most importantly, he really knows how to run a basketball team."

Stephen "Sticks" Wood comes to Duquesne as one of the top scorers in New York's prestigious Catholic High School Athletic Association. The 6-4, 175-pound forward averaged 21.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game for Monsignor McClancy High School in East Elmhurst, N.Y. this past season. His scoring average ranked second in the CHSAA "A" Division this year, and his 22.0 points per game average as a junior led the "A" Division. Wood finished his career with a McClancy school record 1,385 points in three seasons as a starter on the varsity.

Named the 10th-best player in New York City by InsideHoops.com, Wood scored 42 points in a game against Archbishop Stepinac as a junior and topped that with a career-high 50 points versus St. John the Baptist this past season.

"Stephen's a very good player out of New York City who really flew under the radar this year," said Everhart. "Obviously, he's a great scorer having been the leading scorer in McClancy history. He brings a great work ethic and a real scorer's mentally to our program which is what we need from our wing players. I think he's a perfect fit for us."

TOTAL OF FIVE FORMER PLAYERS TO TRANSFER: Four additional Duquesne players have joined sophomore guard/forward Chauncey Duke in announcing their plans to transfer this spring. Sophomore forward DeVario Hudson, freshman forward Brian Kelly, sophomore forward/center Sean McKeon and freshman forward/center Ronnie Thomas all will not return for the 2006-07 season.

"All four informed me of their plans to transfer late last week," said first-year Dukes coach Ron Everhart. "We will do our best to assist them in any way possible as they pursue their future endeavors. We wish them the best."


HALL RELEASED FROM NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT: In related basketball news, junior college center Hernol Hall (Lon Morris College) has been released from his National Letter of Intent. Hall signed with Duquesne last November.


DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL SPRING 2006-07 SIGNEES

                                                2006    2006NAME                   POS  HT  WT  CL  PPG RPG HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL (TRANSFER)Stuard Baldonado    F   6-7 225 Jr. 18.8    9.9 San Andres, Colombia/The Winchendon School (Miami Dade College)Destin Damachoua    G   6-1 180 Fr. 18.0    4.5a    Paris, France/The Master's SchoolScott Grote        G/F  6-6 200 Fr. 18.2    4.3 Centerville, Ohio/Massanutten Military AcademyReggie Jackson          G   5-11    170 Jr. 9.5 8.3a    Hogansville, Ga./Callaway (Southern Union College)Robert Mitchell         F   6-6 175 Fr. 10.0    4.0 Brooklyn, N.Y./Notre Dame Preparatory SchoolLucas Newton            G   5-9 165 Fr. 21.0    8.0a    Weston, Fla./Westminster AcademyGary Tucker         G   6-1 185 Jr. 15.7    4.6 Pensacola, Fla./Woodham (Southern Union College)Stephen Wood            G   6-4 175 Fr. 21.8    11.0    Saint Albans, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy

Stuard Baldonado    BALL-da-NAH-doeDestin Damachoua    Dem-a-CHO-aScott Grote         Grote-EE