CSU Signs Five for 2009-10

Columbus, GA - Columbus State head men's basketball coach Doug Branson has released the first group of signees for the 2009-10 campaign and it features a talented group comprised of three transfers and two true freshmen. Branson and assistant coach Jim Hyneman are not yet finished with the '09 signing class and expect to add at least two more players in the coming weeks.

The group of three transfers includes two guards and one post player, while the freshman signees include one guard and one post player. Jeffeth Maxim (Lake Elsinore, CA), Lamar Williams (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), and Donta Ridley (Baltimore, MD) make up the group of transfers, while Anthony Smith (Harris County HS) and Caz Cole (Dalton HS) are the two true freshmen.

Maxim is one of two new Cougars to come to CSU via the West Coast connections of Hymeman. The 6'7 forward played two seasons for Riverside Community College and was an integral part of RCC's run to the 2009 California Community College state championship. He helped his team to a 30-7 mark on the year and scored in double figures six times in the final two months of the season in helping propel the Tigers to the title. He finished the year averaging 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds for the year. "We feel we have discovered a 'diamond in the rough' in J.J. He played a significant role on a championship team and when you add in his back-story, his play becomes a real testament to his character and abilities. His best basketball is yet to come and we're thrilled he will be playing in a Cougar jersey," said Branson.

Lamar Williams is a 6'2 guard who is also part of the West Coast connection. He played his junior college basketball at Chaffey College where he was an All Foothill Conference player on a 27-7 squad. He led his team to the Southern California Community College region final and was team captain on his squad, averaging 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 42 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent at the free-throw line with a single game high of 30 points last season. Chaffey head coach Jeff Klein calls Williams a "big, physical guard in the mold of Chauncey Billups (of the Denver Nuggets) who can defend and play the point or combo guard positions." Branson says that "Lamar is that rare breed of guard who is skilled and capable in all areas of guard play - one of those areas being leadership. Chaffey ran a powerful full-court, attacking style of game and Lamar was its spearhead. He is also very well-known for his defensive abilities."

Ridley, another 6'2 guard, comes to CSU from Howard Community College in Maryland. He was a two-time NJCAA All Region XX performer at Howard and averaged 18.5 points per game in his last season at HCC. He shot an impressive 53 percent from the floor, grabbed 5.5 rebounds, three steals, and handed out 2 assists per game in 21 games. He averaged 19 points per game as a freshman at Howard. "What impresses me the most about Donta is his extreme intensity and passion to compete," said Branson. "He has been a strong, scoring guard his entire career and we do not expect that to change here. What sets him apart, though, from others is his intolerance for anything short of bone-shattering intensity, whether in practice or in a game. He does not settle for 'next best' from himself or from his teammates."

Cole, a 6'7 post player from Dalton, is the first of the two freshmen signees. He had a celebrated career at DHS for Catamount coach Mike Duffie. He was a three-year standout and was twice named 1st Team All-Region 7-AAAA and 1st Team All-Northwest Georgia. He is best known for his explosive leaping ability and averaged 15 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game last season. As a junior he averaged 11.1 points, 5.8 boards, and 4.1 blocks. He won the Dunk competition at the Make-A-Wish All-Star Games at Christian Heritage High School in Dalton this year, as well. "Caz is an exciting and explosive player who put on eye-popping aerial shows around the rim in many Dalton games over the past three years. He oozes with potential as a college player. We are excited about the future he has with the Cougars," said Branson.

Smith, a 6'2 guard, is also a two-time All-Region performer for Harris County High. He averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and two steals per game as a senior for the Tigers. He was an Honorable Mention selection to the All Bi-City team and was chosen to the Herb Greene All-Star team this year. "We're very excited that Anthony is joining our program. He has proven himself to be one of the region's most talented and versatile guards at the high school level. His strength, speed and athleticism will be big assets in his transition to the college game," Branson said.

The five new additions join Anthony Jackson and Blake Zamudio, who both signed during the early period in November, to bring the total signing class to seven. Branson and Hyneman continue to court several other players and will soon announce the signings of at least two more players. Branson enters his third season as head coach in 2009 and fourth overall in the head coach's chair after serving as interim coach in the 2006-07 season.