South Florida Tandem Relocates to CSI

The College of Southern Idaho has signed a pair of Division I transfers from the University of South Florida.

According to CSI Asst. Coach Barret Peery, the Golden Eagles added 6-4, 195 pound swingman Sheldon Franklin from Bronx, N.Y., and 6-8, 220 pound Yusuf Baker of Orlando, Fla.

Franklin attended South Florida in 2002-2003 but sat out due to questions surrounding his high school academic qualifications. JUCO Junction most recently watched Franklin at last month's "Diamonds in the Rough" JUCO Exposure event in New Jersey.

According to Coach Peery, Franklin will spend the next two years at CSI. Therefore, he will be classified as a freshman in 2003-2004.

Baker comes to CSI with a bit of a more distinguished basketball resume. He started 17 of 29 games for the Bulls, averaging 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest. He led the team in scoring twice, in rebounding six times and had three double-doubles. Baker shot 58 percent from the floor and 56 percent from the free throw line.

Last month, Baker was dismissed from the basketball program. First-year USF Head Coach Robert McCullum cited academics as the primary reason for Baker's dismissal.

Here is a link to that story regarding Baker's dismissal: USF Dismisses Yusuf Baker.

Peery said he expects Baker to be recruited at a fairly high level during the winter, and we'll keep you posted on his recruitment as his list of schools develops in the coming months.