Sampson signs 4 recruits for 2008-09 class

Four recruits signed to play for IU coach Kelvin Sampson and the Hoosiers Wednesday on National Letter of Intent Signing Day.\n“We are excited about this whole recruiting class,” Sampson said. “When you have the kids we have returning, you add this class to them and we think we have a chance to remain a contender to play in the top of this league, (and) compete for Big Ten Championships.”\nIU’s class, ranked No. 15 by recruiting service www.rivals.com, is headlined by five-star forward Devin Ebanks from New York. Ebanks, ranked No. 13 by Rivals, is expected to fill the scoring void if freshman guard Eric Gordon leaves for the NBA, as most people believe, including Sampson. Sampson did not list Gordon when talking about returning players for next season in his weekly press conference yesterday.\n“The Hoosiers have a star coming to Bloomington in Devin Ebanks,” according to www.rivals.com in its breakdown of the top recruiting classes. “In lieu of an Eric Gordon departure in the spring, Ebanks gives coach Kelvin Sampson another outstanding offensive weapon.”\nSampson said although Ebanks is 6-foot-8, he can play the shooting guard position as well as either forward position.\n“He can really score, make three’s and make plays off the dribble,” Sampson said in a statement. “He just has knack for scoring. He has a demeanor on the court, where he just plays with unbelievable confidence. When he has the ball in his hands, you can tell that he thinks he can go score.”\nGuard Matt Roth will come to Bloomington as one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation. Although not highly ranked, the Illinois native made a splash on the AAU circuit this summer for his 3-point shooting in a tournament in Las Vegas.\nSampson said the team, with its many playmakers, will have no problem getting Roth shots. In addition, Roth is good at creating his own shot, Sampson said.\n“A lot of guys can make them (3-point shots) when they set their feet,” Sampson said. “He makes a lot of contested threes. He has a great moxie about him, a swagger on the court. A prolific, prolific shooter.”\nForward Tom Pritchard will add size and strength to the IU frontcourt. Sophomore guard Armon Bassett said Pritchard had an impressive open gym when he came to Bloomington for his official visit.\nSampson discovered Pritchard when he was recruiting another player last summer. Pritchard’s skill and size impressed Sampson.\n“He will play for us at around 250 (pounds),” Sampson said. “You can play him inside or outside – very versatile. Kids like Tom Pritchard, you cannot have enough kids like him in your program.”\nFour-star guard Terrell Holloway, ranked No. 100 by Rivals, rounds out the recruiting class for the Hoosiers. Holloway was a late addition to the Hoosiers, most likely stemming from former recruit Bud Mackey’s arrest for drug possession earlier this fall.\n“We didn’t want just another guard, we wanted a point guard. I think with the guards we have, they are all adjusting to playing point guard. The thing I liked about Terrell, watching him play, that is who he is – he’s a point guard. He’s extremely fast with the ball.”\nA notable exclusion from the list is forward Kevin Jones from New York. Jones, ranked No. 77 by Rivals, signed with West Virginia coach Bob Huggins to play for the Mountaineers.