July 11, 2005
University of New Mexico head men’s basketball coach Ritchie McKay announced today that J.R. Giddens has signed a scholarship grant-in-aid to attend UNM beginning with the 2005-06 school year. Giddens, a 6-5, 200-pound wing, transfers to New Mexico from the University of Kansas. He will sit out the upcoming season and have two years of eligibility remaining starting in 2006-07.
J.R. Giddens….G/F….6-5….200….Jr-Tr….Oklahoma City, Okla. (Kansas)
Transfer who will have two years of eligibility remaining at New Mexico beginning with the 2006-07 academic year…a McDonald’s High School All-American in 2003 coming out of John Marshall HS in Oklahoma City…ranked as the 17th-best prospect in the country by ESPN.com.
Kansas (2003-05)…a two-year starter for the Jayhawks, playing in all 63 games with 56 starts…KU’s third leading scorer last year, averaging 10.1 points…averaged 11.3 points per game his freshman season, receiving Big 12 All-Freshman Team and honorable mention all-Big 12 honors…led KU in 3-point field goals both years with 74 in 2003-04 and 63 last season…his 137 total 3-pointers rank 10th on the Kansas all-time list…a career-high 24 points against Iowa State as a freshman, going 7-of-12 from 3-point range and adding seven rebounds in a career-high 40 minutes…18 points and he committed zero turnovers in 30 minutes against Texas Tech on Feb. 7, 2004…named Co-MVP – along with former Illinois All-America guard Deron Williams – of the 2003 Global Games in Dallas, leading his squad to a 3-2 record and the silver medal…averaged 16.0 points per game…also won the tournament’s slam dunk contest.
High School…a 2003 graduate of John Marshall HS in Oklahoma City…Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior when he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds a game…earned MVP honors at the 2003 state tournament, leading the Bears to the class 5A state championship in Oklahoma’s Lloyd Noble Arena…played for head coach John Martin…averaged 25.0 points per game as a junior, ranking second in the state…an outstanding track athlete, Giddens cleared 6-10 in the high jump.
Personal…born Feb. 13, 1985, in Oklahoma City…age is 20…full name is Justin Ray Giddens…son of Charles and Dianna.
New Mexico head coach Ritchie McKay on J.R. Giddens:
“Much has been made about J.R.’s commitment to attend the University of New Mexico. While we are very well aware of his athletic ability and basketball prowess, our emphasis now is on J.R. growing as a person and improving as a player.
Like a lot of us, J.R. has made some mistakes in the past, however, we’re confident that he will be a young man who displays character, provides contribution to our community and will be a solid addition to the Lobo family.
Rightfully so, there’s some excitement around the UNM program heading into next year. We look to build upon last year’s success with our focus squarely placed on returning Lobo basketball to the NCAA Tournament in 2005-06.”