May 17, 2005
University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Ritchie McKay announced today that senior-transfer Aaron Johnson has signed a scholarship grant-in-aid to attend UNM beginning with the 2005-06 school year. Johnson, a 6-9, 240-pound forward, will transfer to New Mexico from Penn State and sit out the 2005-06 season due to NCAA rules. He will have one year of eligibility remaining in the 2006-07 season.
Johnson is a native of Exton, Penn., and was an all-state player at West Chester East High School. After graduating, Johnson spent one season at St. Thomas More Prep where he averaged 28.0 ppg and 18.0 rpg, leading his team to a 29-1 record and the conference title. He initially joined the Nittany Lions as an invited walk-on during his freshman season. He led the team in rebounding as a frosh, averaging 7.5 boards-per-game to go with 8.3 points-per-game. The start of his sophomore season was slowed by surgery to repair a detached retina, causing him to miss the first five games. He did make the trip to New Mexico and participated in the 2003 Comcast Lobo Invitational. He scored two points and two rebounds in a win over Arkansas State and five points and five rebounds in a loss to the Lobos. As the season went on, he greatly improved his game, averaging 12.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg in Big 10 action.
Last season, Johnson solidified himself as one of the top rebounders in the country, despite playing on a team that posted just one conference win and a 7-23 overall record. He grabbed 24 rebounds in a win over Western Carolina in the Black Coaches Association Classic on November 15, 2004. His 24 boards tied for the second-highest single-game total in the NCAA last season and was a BCA Classic record. Johnson also grabbed 20 rebounds against Sacred Heart and 21 boards against Northwestern, making him the only player in the NCAA with multiple 20+ rebound games last season. The 21 rebounds against Northwestern were the most in a Big 10 game in school history. He led the Big 10 and was tied for 14th in the NCAA in rebounding, averaging 9.9 rpg last season. He also averaged 11.8 ppg and posted 11 double-doubles. Johnson shot 42.8% from the field, 31.8% from 3-pt. range and 65.5% from the FT line. Born on March 9, 1983, Johnson is the son of Howard and Patricia Johnson and is a Communications major.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Aaron Johnson
“Aaron Johnson is a great addition to our program. Anytime you can have the kind of success against top competition in the Big 10 that he had, proves that he is very motivated to compete at a high level. Our interior has improved greatly each year that we have been here and this helps us continue that trend. I can assure you I am confident in both Aaron’s ability and his character and he will represent the University of New Mexico in an exemplary fashion.”
Johnson joins Joel Box (Quincy, Ill., John Wood CC), Justin Holt (Tacoma, Wash., Indian Hills (Iowa) CC), Ryan Kersten (Modbury Heights, South Australia, Australian Institute of Sports), Kyle Prochaska (Wahoo, Neb., Iowa Western CC), Anthony Teague (Cleveland, Ohio, Dodge City CC) and Daniel Faris (Albuquerque, N.M., Eldorado HS) in the 2005-06 incoming class at New Mexico.
Here is a look at the other players who have already signed with the Lobos for the 2005-06 season.
Joel Box F 6-8 250 Rockford, Ill. (John Wood CC)
Skilled post player who has an array of inside moves and a soft touch from outside…Averaged 17.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg and 2.4 bpg last year at John Wood Community College in Quincy, Ill., for head coach Brad Hoyt…Led JWCC to a 20-11 record last season and was an NJCAA All-Region selection and nominated for JC All-American honors…Shot 78% from the FT line, 58% from the floor and 35% from 3-pt. range last season…Collegiate Conference of Central Illinois Freshman of the Year last season…Rated as the No. 4 JC power forward in the nation by Lindy’s Magazine…PERSONAL …Born on March 25, 1984, Joel is the son of Willie and Bridgett Box…He has two younger brothers, Jeremiah and Isiah, and a younger sister, Lydia.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Joel Box:
“Coach Duane Broussard did a tremendous job in identifying a player like Joel. When we go the junior college route we want players with great character and ones that can play a role. Joel embodies not only those two qualities, but also the ability to make an impact. He is a highly-skilled, multi-faceted athlete that can play inside and out. He also has the potential to be a great leader in this program. He is a great sign for us because we had to fend off some big schools in order to get him. I think he has a great future at UNM.”
Daniel Faris C 6-9 225 Albuquerque, N.M. (Eldorado HS)
Led Eldorado High School to the New Mexico 5A state championship in each of the last two years, averaging 17.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg as a junior for head coach Roy Sanchez…Averaged 13.3 ppg and 9.0 rpg as a senior…Two-time first team all-state selection…Rated the No. 5 center in the west by ScoutHoop.com…Rated No. 84 in his class by recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons…PERSONAL…Born on May 2, 1987, Daniel is the son of Bart and Cindy Faris.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Daniel Faris:
“Sometimes you miss a good thing that is right in your own backyard. Fortunately for us, we did not miss. Daniel Faris is going to be a really good basketball player for the University of New Mexico. He is long, he is a very good defender and a very skilled, improving athlete. I think he is going to make a huge impression on our program. As he develops his strength and skills, we will have a potential all-conference player.”
Justin Holt G/F 6-7 205 Tacoma, Wash. (Indian Hills (Iowa) CC)
Holt originally signed with McKay and his staff at Oregon State out of high school….After McKay left the Beavers for New Mexico, Holt opted to transfer to Tacoma CC for his freshman year….After his freshman year at Tacoma, where he averaged 23.1 ppg and 10.2 rpg, Holt transferred to Iowa State where he was declared ineligible by the NCAA because he did not earn an associate’s degree before moving on to a four-year school…Transferred again to Virginia Tech and did not play in the 2003-04 season…Is now enrolled at Indian Hills CC in Ottumwa, Iowa…Will have two years of eligibility remaining at UNM…An athletic player who possesses strong inside and outside skills…Can beat people off the dribble as well as hold is own inside…Was the 2002 4AWashington State Player of the Year, as selected by the Seattle Times, Tacoma News-Tribune and The Associated Press…Was the Seattle Times’ all-school Washington player of the year…As a senior, he led Lincoln HS, under head coach Tim Kelly, to the state title for the second consecutive year, as the Abes became the first school to win back-to-back 4A state titles since 1988 and 1989 and only the seventh team in state history to accomplish the feat…Led Lincoln to a two-year record of 56-3, going 29-1 as a junior and 27-2 as a senior…4A tournament MVP as a senior after averaging 20.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in four games…PERSONAL…Born Oct. 10, 1984…son of Steve and Linda Holt…Has one sister, Carmella, and one brother, Andrew.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Justin Holt:
“In my opinion, Justin holt completes what is arguably the best recruiting class we’ve had since I’ve been a head coach. A lot has been made about Justin’s past and the multiple schools he has attended. I know him as a person, and we would not bring in someone who would not represent this University and our program in an exemplary manner. Justin gives us scoring, rebounding and experience that will help us reload for the future.”
Ryan Kersten G 6-1 195 Modbury Heights, South Australia (Australian Institute of Sports)
Started nine of the team’s 10 games and is averaging 9.2 ppg and 3.5 apg against the experienced competition…Born April 21, 1986, is in his second year at AIS after averaging 8.5 ppg and 2.2 apg in 2004…AIS has produced pair of well-known collegiate players in recent years, including 2005 All-American Andrew Bogut (Utah) and 2005 All-West Coast Conference Daniel Kickert (St. Mary’s) and Luke Schenscher (Ga. Tech)…The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is the country’s internationally acclaimed national center of sports excellence for the training and development of elite athletes and teams…Its residential center is located in Canberra and services athletes from ages 15-19…The AIS men’s basketball team plays in the professional South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL)…SEABL games run from March to August and AIS is currently 3-7 on the season.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Ryan Kersten:
“Ryan Kersten is a very good guard with the ability to play both point and shooting guard positions. He has had the good fortune to play for the Australian Institute of Sport, which competes against older, more experienced players. Consequently, he has maturity beyond that of a normal 19-year old. We are excited about what we think he can contribute to our program, both now and in the future.”
Kyle Prochaska F 6-6 205 Wahoo, Neb. (Iowa Western CC)
Will enter UNM as a junior and have two years of eligibility remaining…Averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg while leading Iowa Western to a 33-7 record and a fifth place finish in the 2005 NJCAA Tournament…Was also named Division I NJCAA 1st Team All-American this season…In his final game against Walters State CC (TN), Prochaska scored 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a 69-68, win for the Reivers and head coach Jim Morris…Known as a workhorse around the basket, but he also has a nice shooting touch, hitting 58.0% from the field and 41.3% from 3-pt. range…Was the only freshman to earn NJCAA All-Region 11 honors in 2004, averaging eight points and nine rebounds per game…Attended Wahoo Neumann High School and was the 2003 Nebraska Prep Player of the Year, leading his team to back-to-back state championships in his final two seasons…Son of Janet and Darrell Prochaska…Last name is pronounced pro-HAS-ka.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Kyle Prochaska
“On paper, I would think most people would suggest that getting a player like Kyle this late is a tremendous sign. However, I think that anytime you get a player like Kyle, it is terrific. He is a guy that plays without a position but just goes out and wins. I am anxious to see how he will contribute to our team, and I know that his impact will be immediate. We are excited about having him join our program.”
Anthony Teague G 6-5 190 Cleveland, Ohio (Dodge City (Kan.) CC)
Excellent shooter who led Dodge City CC to a 19-12 overall record in 2003-04…Played for head coach Brian Hoberecht…Led the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg…Also averaged 3.9 rpg and 2.0 apg…Shot 44.1% from the field and 39.8% from 3-pt. range…Graduated from Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland, Ohio…PERSONAL…Born on April 12, 1984, Anthony is the son of Ronald Teague.
Head Coach Ritchie McKay on Anthony Teague:
“He is a great shooter and has an ability to create space for himself and his teammates. I think he is highly underrated right now. He has a chance to be one of the best shooters in recent UNM history.”