Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIC guard Troy Long signs with Men's Basketball
04/20/2010 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
April 20, 2010
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Saluki men's basketball coach Chris Lowery announced Tuesday that Troy Long, a guard from Southeastern Illinois College, has signed a letter of intent to play for Southern Illinois University next season.
Long is a 6-foot, 165-pound combo guard, who averaged 11.8 points and 2.3 assists last season for a SIC team that finished 24-11 and lost to the eventual champions, Howard (Texas), in the opening round of the NJCAA national tournament.
"He is very tough and a good defender," Lowery said. "He's also a very good shooter and has shown he can make shots in bunches. He has the type of qualities we look for in guards -- leadership, toughness and the ability to play within our system."
The Cincinnati, Ohio-native was the team's top 3-point marksman last season, converting 60 3-pointers, while shooting 40.5 percent from outside the arc. Long received All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference and All-Region XXIV honors.
The Salukis have had success with SIC players in the past, including LaMar Owen, Kyle Smithpeters, Tyrone Green and current forward Nate Mitchell. Lowery credits SIC head coach Todd Franklin for producing college-ready talent.
"Todd is a proven winner, and his kids come to college ready to play," Lowery said. "He does a great job getting them ready to play at a high level, and you can see how he's built such a successful JUCO program at SIC."
