South Plains Duo Sign Letters of Intent
South Plains College is losing a pair of forwards to the Division I ranks this spring.
Steve Green informed JUCO Junction on Wednesday night that 6-8 red-shirt freshman Robert Faulkner has signed with Iowa State, while 6-6 combo forward Keena Young has inked with Brigham Young University.
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A native of Peoria, Ill., Faulkner sat out the 2003-2004 campaign with a knee injury. He visited Iowa State back in the fall, and should he graduate this summer, Faulkner will have three years of eligibility for the Cyclones.
"I am glad they followed through," Green said. "They were interested in Robert in the fall, and Coach Sundvold did a great job and was patient with him."
JUCO Junction reported a few weeks back that Iowa State had been in this spring to visit with Faulkner. He took his only two official visits to South Alabama and Iowa State back in the fall.
"Robert hasn't started playing yet because he's not medically cleared, and he probably won't be until after school is out," Green said. "The plus for Iowa State is that he has three years, and when healthy, he's one of the best JC players in the country."
JUCO Junction had Faulkner pegged among the top ten power forward prospects in the Class of 2004 last summer.
As a freshman on a deep squad, Faulkner averaged 10.6 points and five rebounds per game, shooting 58 percent from the field. The Texans finished 31-4 that season (2002-2003), advancing to the NJCAA Tournament in Kansas.
"He's a four man who can face the basket," Green said. "He can shoot it from 15 to 18 feet, put the ball on the floor and he's very skilled. He also plays with great fire."
As for Young, the 6-6 freshman qualifier from Beaumont, Tex., will attend BYU in the fall.
"I'm very happy for him," Green said. "Good things happen to good people, and Keena is a tremendous kid who works hard."
Young averaged 9.9 points and seven rebounds per game for the Texans in 2003-2004. He had signed with Memphis out of high school, but detoured to South Plains when he and the Tiger staff had a falling out.
This past winter, Young committed to Texas Tech, but the parties mutually agreed to part after the Red Raiders couldn't come up with a scholarship for him.
With top 100 recruit Lee Cummard headed on an LDS mission next year, Young addition could be a critical one for the Cougars.
"He brings something different from what they have in their program," Green said. "Keena is excited to play for an NCAA Tournament team."
BYU was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Syracuse.
Because he was a qualifier out of high school, Young will have three years of eligibility for the Cougars.