Shawn Finney Quotes on 2002-03 Early Signees
Nov 13, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2002
Overview:
"We're extremely excited about this upcoming class. We added five solid basketball players. When you look at what we addressed, we addressed point guard needs for next season with the loss of Marsh and Spann. We addressed post play with Kory Castine and shooters with Chris Moore and Dan Fitzgerald, so I am excited about what we bring in next season. It really brings a whole variety of basketball players to Tulane basketball for next season."
On importance of addressing needs:
"You always need to address your needs in terms of a point guard if that's what you need; a post player if that's what you need. It's always important to address your needs when you're losing three guards like Byron Parker, Brandon Spann and Waitari Marsh. It was a big need to go out this season and sign guards. That was our biggest concern - to make sure we had guys physically ready to come in and compete in Conference USA. I think the three guards we signed definitely fit that bill."
On importance of recruiting shooters:
"In our style of play, we want guys who can shoot the ball. We're on the verge of really being an excellent shooting team; the guys we added, when you look at Fitzgerald, he's a great three-point shooter with size at 6-8; you've got Troy Aaron, who's a great scorer and shooter; and Chris Moore is one of the best shooters in the country, he can really fill it up from three. He reminds me of an athletic shooter like Jeff Shepard was for us at Kentucky and that's what makes me excited about him. The guy that is going to be an exciting player is Vincent Camper, long arms, can get to the rim, and he can really defend. Any time you're 6-4, 200 pounds and physical athletically, that makes you be able to compete right away in this league."
On recruiting Louisiana players:
"We definitely want to have some Louisiana flavor and by getting Troy Aaron out of Lake Charles, it gives us a little bit of the state; and then you have Kory Castine in the city, will give us some city presence. Those two guys are going to be foundations of this program into the future."
On Catholic league influence of current senior Brandon Spann on Kory Castine's decision:
"I think he has seen the recognition Brandon Spann has received over the last three years, being a young man from the city, starting at Tulane, being one of our leading scorers; people like to see him on the tv and they like to come out and watch him play. I think Kory saw that could be an advantage for him. He is a well-spoken young man, goes to a good school, goes to a great basketball school. He brings a lot of different things to this program."
