Colorado State men’s basketball coach Tim Miles didn’t go after just any power forward in the early signing period.
“This guy is a power forward in every sense of the word,” Miles said after receiving a letter of intent from Javon Dawson, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound forward at Gulf Coast (Fla.) Community College. “He can rebound, he’s physical, he has good skill levels and shooting range.”
Dawson will have three years of eligibility at CSU. He is taking a medical redshirt this season after tearing an ACL earlier in the fall.
“He brings such a physicality to our team, in defense, rebounding and scoring in the paint,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re really going to need.”
Miles is convinced a year and a half of rehab before the 2011-12 season will have Dawson back in playing shape.
“Believe in Javon,” Miles said. “I believe he has a good work ethic to get himself in the right shape and be productive.”
Dawson played football and basketball at Crisp County High School in Georgia before concentrating on basketball.
• Rocky Mountain High School’s Kara Spotton, a 6-2 forward, decided to stay home to continue her basketball career and signed with Colorado State on Wednesday. Other new Rams include ESPN top-100 guard Ladeyah Forte of Pensacola, Fla., and Morgan Hunt of Coffeyville, Texas.
Spotton averaged 14.1 points and 9.0 rebounds, and CSU coach Kristen Holt said she will add depth at the wing forward. Forte, who is 5-4, led her team to a 26-3 record last season.
“Ladeyah is an explosive, quick point guard that makes a difference with her speed,” Holt said.
UNC.
Northern Colorado men’s basketball coach B.J. Hill on Wednesday signed five recruits for next season in his first recruiting class since taking over the program.
UNC added four prep players: guards Dylan Elias from San Antonio and James Davis Jr. from San Lorenzo, Calif., and forwards Tim Huskisson of Willard, Mo., and Brendan Keane from Alameda, Calif. UNC also added junior college transfer Aaron Hawk-Harris, from the College of Eastern Utah.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
