Prospect Profile

An early entry candidate for the 2010 NBA Draft. Originally an early entry candidate for the 2008 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration.

Career Highlights: Named Second Team All-Conference USA and NABC First Team All-District in his first year at UTEP. Ranked second in the conference and 16th nationally in field goal percentage (.567). Enrolled at the school in January 2009 and became eligible to compete after the fall semester. Spent his first two seasons at Louisville. Declared academically ineligible by the school at the end of the 2007-08 campaign. Started 14 of 53 games at Louisville, posting three career double-doubles. Ranked fifth in field goal percentage in the Big East as a sophomore (.552). Highly touted during his high school career, and ranked as the best player in the country by some recruiting services heading into his senior year.

Junior (2009-10): Averaged 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in 26.7 minutes en route to Second Team All-Conference USA honors. Also a first team All-District pick by the NABC. Sat the first five games of the season per NCAA transfer rules before making his UTEP debut vs. New Mexico State on Dec. 13. Ranked second in the conference and 16th nationally in field goal percentage (.567).  Seventh in the league in rebounding. Became the first UTEP player to compile 10 or more rebounds in five consecutive games in 31 years. Had 10-plus boards in eight games. Totaled seven double-doubles on the season. Made 10-of-12 shots, including 7-of-7 in the second half, on his way to a 22-point, 13-rebound night against Houston. Scored 16 of his 21 points at Texas Tech in the second half, helping him to earn Conference USA Rookie of the Week honors. Recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals against Alcorn State, shooting 8-of-11 from the field. Contributed 20 points, 13 rebounds and a season-high three steals at UAB, vaulting him to Conference USA Player of the Week. Converted 10-of-13 shots in tallying 20 points and nine rebounds vs. Butler in the NCAA Tournament First Round. Netted 18 points and nine rebounds against Houston in the title game of the Conference USA Tournament. Took control in the final minutes of the 49-45 win over SMU, scoring four straight points to break a 41-41 tie and throwing a baseball pass to Randy Culpepper for the game-clinching layup with six seconds left. Scored 18 points vs. the Mustangs, connecting on 7-of-11 shot attempts. Posted 15 points, 15 boards, three assists, a block and a steal in only 21 minutes against Norfolk State. Contributed 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in 32 minutes against Mississippi. Capped a big second half (all 13 of his points) by scoring UTEP's final three buckets vs. UAB, including the game-winning dunk with a second left.

Sophomore (2007-08): Averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 16.9 minutes a contest as a Louisville sophomore. Ranked fifth in the Big East in field goal percentage (.552). Scored in double figures 13 times. Recorded a career-high of 24 points and 11 rebounds vs. BYU. Posted 18 points on 9-for-11 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked four shots vs. Marshall. Registered a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds and added a career-high six blocked shots vs. Iona. Led team with 17 points vs. St. John’s. Tallied 12 points and seven rebounds vs. Rutgers. Contributed 11 points vs. Pittsburgh in the first round of the Big East Tournament.

Freshman (2006-07): Averaged 8.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes a contest. Made 18 appearances with two starts, missing 16 games due to various off the court issues. Registered first career double-double with season highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. South Florida. Matched season high with 16 points and added six rebounds at Connecticut. Posted 14 points at Marquette. Tallied 13 points and seven rebounds vs. Seton Hall. Scored 12 points in 11 minutes vs. Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Strengths: Good footwork with his back to the basket. Can face-up and drive to the basket. Has a soft shooting touch. Very skilled player and has good agility for his size. Productive on the glass.

Personal: Attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and St. Patrick’s High School in New Jersey before finishing his prep career at Notre Dame Prep.