MOBILE, Ala. --- Rico Sanders has signed a National Letter of Intent to play men’s basketball for the University of South Alabama for  the 2010-11 season, head coach Ronnie Arrow announced Friday.

Sanders, currently a freshman at Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville, Ala., will have three years of eligibility remaining.

“What we’ve added to the program with Rico is a quality three-point shooter,” said Arrow. “He’ll add a dimension that we really didn’t have this year besides Tim (Williams) and Bryan (Sherrer). He will give us a pinpoint 3-point shooter that will be able to keep inside defenses honest.”

Sanders earned an All-Alabama Community College Conference first team nod last season and was the ACCC Southern Division and Region 22 Player of the Year.

“I feel really good about my decision,” said Sanders. “I’m really excited to be a part of the Jaguar program. I look forward to coming in and helping the team achieve our goals.”

An outstanding outside shooter, he ranked second in Region 22 averaging 20.0 points per game and converted a region-best 97 3-pointers. Sanders scored 20 or more points 20 times, including a high of 40 vs. Gadsden State.

Sanders hit five or more treys in a game 10 times and was second in the region with 3.03 trifectas per outing. He also averaged 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals – second on the team – per game.

“Rico is a shooting guard that can score in bunches,” said Alabama Southern men’s basketball head coach Ben Hicks. “Not only is he an excellent 3-point shooter but he can create his own shot which causes match-up problems for his opponents. He improved from day one when he stepped on campus at Alabama Southern, both on the offensive end and defensive ends of the floor. His better years are ahead of him.”

“Coach Mike Brown was the one recruiting me,” Sanders said. “When I came on my visit he just made everything seem like home. I felt really comfortable and that’s why I made my decision.”

The Eagles and Hicks, the ACCC South Coach of the Year, went 27-5 overall last season including a 15-1 mark in the ACCC.

“Coach Hicks coaches good, fundamental basketball,” said Arrow, “and a player like Rico will know what hard work is. Rico is not only a good player but he comes from a proven, winning basketball program.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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