May 13, 2005
Pocatello, ID -- Idaho State University men's basketball coach Doug Oliver has announced the signing of Jamal Holden, 6-4 perimeter combo player from San Francisco City College. Holden becomes ISU's fifth recruit in the class of 2005-06.
Holden, who sat out the 2004-05 season due to NCAA regulations, averaged 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game as a sophomore in 2003-04 in being named First Team All-Conference. As a freshman he averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds with 3.5 assists in earning Second Team All-Conference honors. He becomes the third perimeter player signed by Oliver as he looks to fortify a backcourt that lost team MVP Jeff Gardner, two-time team Defensive MVP Arzelle Lewis, and two-year starter Doug D'Amore.
Originally, Holden signed with Eastern Washington after the 2003-04 season, but he returned to SFCC to complete his Associates Degree. He was expected to battle for a starting position there. He joins Indian Hills 6-0 point guard Akbar Abdul-Ahad (who originally verbally committed to Miami of Ohio), and 6-7 wing Tony Jones of Hill Junior College (who originally signed with Baylor) in a suddenly very deep backcourt. The Bengals also return 6-3 guard David Schroeder from an injury and 6-5 swing man Tim Henry, who sat out as a transfer last year, along with 6-5 Century High recruit Matt Stucki.
Said Oliver of the plethora of backcourt players, "This is a league that is backcourt dominant. We have suffered backbreaking injuries the past two seasons in a back court. It depleted us. We have concentrated on building quality depth there and our recent signings have gone a long way in helping us do that." Oliver added, "You obviously don't play the games on paper, you have to produce on the court, but I like us in the backcourt on paper. If we get these guys to play to their capabilities, it will be a lot of fun at Reed Gym this year."
The fact that Holden, Abdul-Ahad, and Jones had other opportunities is also not lost on Oliver. "All three of those guys had opportunities elsewhere and we hope that Idaho State will be their home for the next few years. They will have players like Doug Hardy, David Schroeder, Tim Henry, Matt Stucki, and Logan Kinghorn to play and compete with. This looks to be our most athletic perimeter group since I've been here."
Holden's junior college coach Justin Labah feels that Idaho State is getting a potential Big Sky star. "Jamal is a versatile inside-outside scorer who has great talent. He rebounds so well as a guard and has a real knack for scoring the ball. He is a tough competitor who I really enjoyed coaching. He had some extenuating circumstances that prevented him from completing his degree last summer. These issues have been resolved and he will be fun to watch at Idaho State. He can be a real difference maker."
Along with the above mentioned recruits, the Bengals also have 6-7 forward Kasey Winters out of Snow College. Idaho State has one scholarships remaining to be filled for 2005-06, which Oliver expects to go towards front line help.
Current 2005-06 Roster
No Name Pos Ht Wt Cl Ex Hometown (School)
3 Doug Hardy G 5-10 170 So 1VL Anchorage, AK (Bartlett HS
4 Logan Kinghorn G-F 6-5 215 So 1VL-RS Rigby, ID (Rigby HS)
10 #Cheikh "Pape" Cisse' G 5-11 165 Jr TR-RS Queens, NY (Dowling College/United Nations International School)
15 #Kyle Hopkins G 6-2 195 So TR-RS Santa Barbara, CA (University of Arizona/San Marcos HS)
22 #Tim Henry G-F 6-5 185 Sr TR-RS Orem, UT (Wyoming/Salt Lake CC/Mountain View HS)
30 #David Schroeder G 6-2 195 Jr 1VL-RS Salmon, ID (Salmon HS)
33 Kyle Stevens F 6-8 215 Jr 1VL Rexburg, ID (Ricks College/Madison HS)
45 Nicholas Rhodes C 6-8 285 Jr 1VL Sacramento, CA (Yuba College/Rio Linda HS)
50 Slim Millien F-C 6-7 195 Sr 1VL New York City, NY (Trinidad State JC/John Bowne HS)
#Akbar Abdul-Ahad G 6-0 175 Jr JC Minneapolis, MN (Indian Hills CC/Minneapolis CC/Roosevelt HS)
#Jamal Holden G-F 6-4 175 Jr JC Apple Valley, CA (San Francisco City College/Apple Valley HS)
#Tony Jones G-F 6-7 185 So JC San Antonio, TX (Hill JC/Taft HS)
#Matt Stucki G 6-5 185 Fr HS Pocatello, ID (Century HS)
#Kasey Winters F-C 6-7 230 Jr JC Mesquite, NV (Snow College/Virgin Valley HS)
#did not play for Idaho State last season
Head Coach: Doug Oliver, San Jose State, 1973 (8th year)
Assistant Coaches: Jay McMillin, Louis Wilson, James Blake
Athletic Director: Paul A. Bubb
Senior Associate Athletic Director: Rance Pugmire
Head Athletic Trainer: Phil Luckey
Associate Athletic Director & Senior Woman Administrator: Nancy Graziano
Asst. A.D. for Media Relations: Frank Mercogliano
