May 13, 2009

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University head men's basketball coach Ron Everhart has announced the signing of New York City Catholic High School Athletic Association Most Valuable Player guard Sean Johnson (Queens, N.Y./Christ the King) to a National Letter of Intent.

The 6-2, 185-pound Johnson averaged 22.4 points per game for a Christ the King team (25-4, 13-1 in the CHSAA) that finished the season ranked fourth in the state by the New York Daily News and 11th nationally by ESPN RISE. The Queens, N.Y. native was named first team Class AA all-state by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

"Sean is a great kid and a very versatile basketball player," said Everhart. "He will have an impact on our program at both guard positions. Sean played in one of the toughest leagues in the country and finished the year as the most valuable player. That tells you a lot about his talent, the way he competes and his will to win. I'm thrilled he is part of our program."

Johnson, who was named third team All-Metro New York and ranked as the fourth-best New York Metro Area senior by Hoop Scoop, played for the City All-Stars in the Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game at Madison Square Garden on April 18. He scored 23 points in helping the City team to a 129-120 win over the Suburban All-Stars.

Johnson, who also entertained scholarship offers from Nebraska, Manhattan and Quinnipiac, joins fellow spring signee Andre Marhold (6-6, Fr., F, Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg) in the 2009-10 Duquesne men's basketball recruiting class.

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL 2009-10 RECRUITING CLASS
as of May 13, 2009
NAME           POS HT  WT  CL  PPG RPG HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL (TRANSFER)
Sean Johnson  G   6-2 185 Fr. 22.4    5.0 Queens, N.Y./Christ the King
Andre Marhold F   6-6 215 Fr. 18.0    11.0    Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg

Three-year walk on finished fourth in A-10 in 3-point shooting pct. as a starter last season
JASON DUTY AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2009-10
In additional news, Everhart announced that guard Jason Duty (Cranberry Township, Pa./Vincentian Academy) has been awarded a scholarship for the 2009-10 season. Duty, who joined the team as a walk on in November of 2006, was one of four players to start all 34 games last year. The 6-1 senior-to-be finished fourth in the Atlantic 10 in 3-point shooting percentage at 41.4 percent (55-of-133) in 2008-09.

"If there has ever been a person who has truly earned a scholarship it's Jason Duty," said Everhart. "Jason has impacted our program tremendously with his hard work and performance both on and off the court. As our lone senior, I'm counting on him not only to continue providing leadership but to also add to what has been a great career in 2009-10."

Duty hit at least one 3-pointer in 28 games in averaging 7.4 ppg., last season. He shot a team-best 82.9 percent from the foul line and handed out 45 assists in 24.8 minutes per game. He has played in 79 games with 49 starts in his three seasons at DU.

Off the court Duty, an accounting major with a 3.75 GPA, earned spots on both the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 2 Basketball Team as well as the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball All-Academic Team.