May 3, 2006

Men's Basketball Announces Another Commitment

Duquesne University head men's basketball coach Ron Everhart has announced the signing of junior college forward Stuard Baldonado (San Andres, Colombia/Miami Dade College), guard Destin Damachoua (Paris, France/The Master's School), guard/forward Scott Grote (Centerville, Ohio/Massanutten Military Academy) and forward Robert Mitchell (Brooklyn, N.Y./Notre Dame Preparatory School) to National Letters of Intent. The foursome forms the nucleus of the first recruiting class for Everhart, who was named head coach at Duquesne a little over one month ago.

The four recruits join center Hernol Hall (Limon, Costa Rica/Lon Morris College) - a November signee - to form the 2006-07 recruiting class to date.

"We hit the ground running and worked extremely hard over the past month to get to this point," said Everhart. "I'm really pleased with the work my staff has done in putting together our class so far, especially after the late start.

"All four players who have signed with us bring different skills to the program, but they all have one thing in common - and that's a tremendous work ethic. All four are men of great character, and I know they'll represent Duquesne University and the basketball program in an exemplary manner."

Baldonado (BALL-da-NAH-doe), ranked No. 36 on JUCO Junction's Top 100, comes to Duquesne after an outstanding two seasons at Miami Dade College where he helped head coach Butch Estes' Sharks to a 52-12 record and a 2004-05 Southern Conference championship. He will have two years of eligibility at Duquesne.

"Stuard is one of the best offensive rebounders I've ever seen," said Everhart. "He works very, very hard to be good. He plays with a tremendous amount of intensity which can be contagious to a team. I think our fans are really going to enjoy watching him play because of the effort he brings."

The 6-7, 225-pound forward averaged 18.8 points and 9.9 rebounds and shot 61.1 percent from the field in earning Southern Conference Player of the Year honors for 25-7 MDC in 2005-06. As a freshman, the San Andres, Colombia native averaged 16.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in helping Miami Dade to the league title. Baldonado, who averaged a double-double in leading Winchendon Prep (Winchendon, Mass.) to the New England Prep championship in 2003-04, also played for the AAU Miami Tropics coached by Art Alvarez. As a member of the Tropics, Baldonado helped Miami win the 2005 Copa McDonald's in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

Baldonado, who speaks three languages, picked Duquesne over Oregon State, UTEP and Hofstra. Duquesne's last recruit from Miami Dade College, point guard Martin Osimani (2004-05), finished his career with the Atlantic 10's eighth-best all-time assists per game average.

Destin Damachoua (Dem-a-CHO-a), also an international player, averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.0 steals in helping The Master's School (West Simsbury, Conn.) to a 23-5 record and an appearance in the New England Prep School semifinal this past season. The 6-1, 180-pound combo guard, who played for the Central African Republic national team last summer, also was a member of the Connecticut Young Gunz Junior AAU team. Damachoua averaged 25 points per game for Lakeland Christian Academy (Winona Lake, Ind.) prior to enrolling at The Master's School.

"Destin is a very talented guard with tremendous speed and great intelligence," said Everhart. "We're very excited because he gives us flexibility in our backcourt with his ability to play both guard positions. He is also an exceptional 3-point shooter."

Damachoua, who moved to the United States from France two year's ago, also considered Delaware, Niagara and Marist in addition to Duquesne.

Scott Grote (Grote-EE), a native of Centerville, Ohio, played last season for Massanutten Military Academy (Woodstock, Va.). The 6-6, 200-pounder, who can play both small forward and shooting guard, averaged a team-high 18.2 points per game for the 25-7 Colonels who finished the season ranked ninth nationally. Grote shot 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from the 3-point arc.

"Scott has a great feel for the game," said Everhart. "He's a tough competitor and a very good 3-point shooter who can really pass the basketball. I really like his unselfishness."

Grote graduated from Centerville High School as the school's fifth-leading all-time scorer. His 459 points as a senior - the third-highest single-season total in school history - helped Centerville tie the school record for wins (23-3) and set a school record for conference victories (12-1) in advancing to the state tournament Elite 8 in 2004-05. Grote was part of two district championships (2004 & 2005) and three sectional titles (2003, 2004 & 2005) at Centerville.

Grote, who originally committed to Eastern Kentucky out of high school, chose Duquesne over UNC-Wilmington, Bowling Green and Old Dominion.

Robert Mitchell, a Brooklyn, N.Y. native, played last season for 27-3 Notre Dame Prep (Fitchburg, Mass.), the top-ranked prep school team in the country by Scout.com. The 6-6, 175-pound Mitchell averaged 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game for a team that has nine players headed to Division I programs. Mitchell gained attention when he was named the playoff MVP of the highly-competitive Honesdale session of the Five Star camp late last August. He chose Duquesne over USC, Cincinnati and Wichita State.

"Robert is a very good wing scorer," said Everhart. "He has great touch from the perimeter and also has the ability to slash to the basket and score. He is a late-bloomer who has improved greatly over the past year."

Mitchell is ranked 66th on Hoop Scoop's list of top fifth-year players. Grote is 100th on the same list.

The four signees join Hall, who signed a Letter of Intent with Duquesne last November. Hall, ranked No. 4 on JUCO Junction's Top 100, averaged 14.3 points and 9.9 rebounds in earning NJCAA first team All-American honors at Lon Morris College (Jacksonville, Texas) this past season. The 6-10, 245-pound Hall was also named the Region XIV co-Most Valuable Player.

With the loss of sophomore guard/forward Chauncey Duke, who announced his plans to transfer at the end of spring semester, Duquesne currently has a total of two scholarships remaining.


DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL SPRING 2006-07 SIGNEES

                                                    2006 2006NAME                POS  HT  WT  CL  PPG RPG HOMETOWN/HIGH 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 AcademyRobert Mitchell         F   6-6 175 Fr. 10.0    4.0 Brooklyn, N.Y./Notre Dame Preparatory School
2006-07 RECRUITING CLASS NOVEMBER SIGNEEHernol Hall         C   6-10    245 Jr. 14.3    9.9 Limon, Costa Rica (Lon Morris College)
PRONUNCIATION GUIDEStuard Baldonado    BALL-da-NAH-doeDestin Damachoua    Dem-a-CHO-aScott Grote         Grote-EEHernol Hall         AR-nle (like Arnold without the "d")