Three signings from Illinois juco ranks

JucoJunction is staying very busy this month with signings coming from all over the country and we are still trying to catch up. Three Illinois junior college players decided to end their recruitment recently when they signed National Letters of Intent. JucoJunction has the latest on these three juco players from the land of Lincoln in this article.

Matt Lander, (SO) 6-foot-3 (185) from John A. Logan College in Cartersville, IL, will play for the Leathernecks of Western Illinois University next fall in Macomb, IL. Lander, a point guard from Evansville, IN, averaged 8.4 ppg this season for the Volunteers. The Volunteers should be back on top of the GRAC Conference next season as they return everyone except three sophomores.

"Matt really sees the floor and has a good motor," said JucoJunction staff analyst Bret Swanson.

Phillip Gary, (SO) 5-foot-10 from Malcolm X College in Chicago, will take his game to South Beach next season and Florida International University. The Golden Panthers recently signed Gary along with three other junior college players under head coach Isiah Thomas. Gary averaged 19 ppg and 9 assists this past season. Gary received interest from Fresno State, Central Michigan and Texas Christian University this past spring.

Bradley Birton, (SO) 6-foot-6 (195) from South Surburban College in South Holland, IL, will stay close to home next season and play for the Flames of University of Illinois-Chicago according to head coach John Pigatti. Birton received interest from Tennessee Tech and Eastern Illinois before deciding on UIC this spring.

"Bradley is a combo forward with a soft touch and good hands that can knock down the mid-range jumper," said Swanson.

Birton helped the Bulldogs get back to the NJCAA National Tounrney in Danville,IL this season. The Bulldogs have made great strides under Pigatti the past 3 seasons. Birton averaged 11.8 ppg, 8 rebounds and shot 65.6% from the floor this past season.