Florida International signs three

Florida International University has a new head coach in former NBA player and coach in Isiah Thomas. The Golden Panthers haven't wasted any time in getting into the junior college ranks to find some help for next season in the Sun Belt Conference. JucoJunction found out tonight the Golden Panthers took a liking to Region 2 and the state of Oklahoma this past week and landed three commitments from the Sooner state.

Antoine Watson, (SO) 6-foot-4, and Marvin Roberts, 6-foot-5, both of Redlands Community College in El Reno, OK, have joined coach Thomas next season at FIU.

"I really enjoyed my visit with Marvin this weekend at FIU. Coach Thomas was really real with me and told me what he wants in return from me and I really felt very comfortable with him," said Watson.

Watson, from Raleigh, NC, averaged 24.7 ppg, 8.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists this past season for the Cougars.

Watson received interest from Missouri State, Rhode Island,Hawaii and FIU this spring. Watson was a second-team all-conference performer this season.

Roberts, 6-foot-5 (210), signed with Cal State Fullerton back in the fall, but reopened his recruitment this spring and averaged 29.6 ppg and 4.6 rebounds this past season at Redlands Community College. Roberts, a Brooklyn, NY native, received first-team Bi-State Region honors this past season.

Stephon Weaver, (SO) 6-foot-3 from Forest City, AR, played at Connors State College with Bill Muse the past two seasons. Weaver signed out of high school with Arkansas State University but didn't qualify academically. Weaver led the Cowboys to the NJCAA National Tourney in Hutchinson, KS this past season and a 28-8 record.

Weaver received interest from North Texas and Southeast Missouri State also this spring according to coach Muse. Stephon was a first-team all-region performer, Player of the Year in the Conference and a 3rd-team All-American this season for the Cowboys. Weaver averaged 16 ppg and 5 rebounds this past season for the Cowboys. Stephon scored 880 career points in 63 games played at Connors State College over two seasons.

JucoJunction will keep up the Golden Panthers signings this spring as it looks like they will be hitting the junior college ranks pretty hard.