Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Sign Second Recruit for 2006-07
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Armon Bassett, a 6-1, 170-pound point guard from Terre Haute, Ind. (South Vigo HS and Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy) has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Indiana University, Hoosier head coach Mike Davis announced on Monday. Bassett joins Xavier Keeling, a 6-6, 218-pound forward from Huntsville, Ala. (J.O. Johnson HS), as the 2007 recruiting class early signees. Bassett and Keeling will each enroll at IU in the fall of 2006 and will be eligible to compete for Indiana in the 2006-07 season.
Indiana head coach Mike Davis feels that Bassett and Keeling can immediate contributors.
"Both Armon and Xavier are very talented and highly recruited players," Davis said. "My staff, especially coach (Donnie) Marsh and coach (Kerry) Rupp, deserve a lot of credit because they expended a lot of time and effort in making sure these players knew they would have the best on and off the court if they came to Indiana University. Their hard work has paid off, and we are excited to have Xavier and Armon in the program."
Bassett is one of the top-ranked point guards in the nation according to rivals.com, which had him ranked as the No. 21 point guard in the class of 2006. As a senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Bassett averaged 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. This season, the 2005 Indiana All-Star is playing at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va.
Davis describes him as a physical point guard who has the capability of scoring.
"I have always said the point guard position is the most important on the floor," Davis said. "You look for leadership, maturity and someone who has a great understanding of the game, and Armon posesses all these qualities. He will look to pass first and shoot second, but he is a terrific shooter and exciting to watch."
Keeling is another player who is expected to pay immediate dividends for Davis and the Hoosiers. As a junior at J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville, Ala., he averaged 17.0 points and 14.0 rebounds. Keeling and current IU sophomore D.J. White were teammates with the AAU Alabama Lasers in 2003.
"Xavier is a strong, athletic player who is not afraid to go inside with the big men," Davis said. "He is listed at 6-6, but he still managed to average 14 rebounds per game. That should give fans some sort of indication how good he really is. We are excited to have him in next year's class. I think he is someone who will be able to step right in and contribute."
