Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Monday, April 25the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent. Tanner Gibson, a 6-foot-1 guard from Zanesville, Ohio, Jayson Guerrier, a 6-foot-4 guard from Oviedo, Fla., and Peter Hooley, a 6-foot-4 guard from South Adelaide, Australia, will play for the Great Danes in the 2011-12 academic year.
"Our goal with this class was to improve our overall depth and talent," said Brown, whose team posted a 16-16 record and tied for third in the America East Conference standings last year. "Although we return a strong core group, we have exceeded my expectations with this incoming class. This infusion of talent will allow for a very competitive practice setting and help us take the next step as a program."
Gibson earned Division II second-team all-state recognition and was the Eastern District Co-Player of the Year. "He is an explosive combo guard who can create for himself and his teammates," Brown stated. "He can beat you from the three-point line, mid-range, and has the ability to finish above the rim."
Hooley is the third Australian to join the UAlbany program within the last calendar year. He recently averaged 19.4 points in leading South Australia's Under-20 Team to a bronze medal at the Australian National Championships. "He will be able to play all three perimeter positions," Brown said. "He can score in a variety of ways and is also a good defender."
Guerrier, a Class 6A all-state performer on the high school level in Florida, was an honorable mention junior college All-American at Alabama Southern Community College in 2010-11. He was named the Alabama Community College Conference South Division Player of the Year. "He is a big-time shooter," Brown offered. "He is physically strong and has a good work ethic. As a combo forward, he will be a difficult matchup who can stretch the defense."
During the fall signing period, Chris Page, a 6-foot-5 guard from Plainfield, Ind., Sam Rowley, a 6-foot-6 forward from Sydney, Australia, and Gerardo Suero, a 6-foot-4 guard from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, each made his commitment.
2011-12 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings
Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School / Previous School)
Spring Commitments
Tanner Gibson, Fr., G, 6-1, 180, Zanesville, Ohio (Zanesville)
Jayson Guerrier, Jr., G, 6-4, 210, Winter Springs, Fla. (Oviedo / Alabama Southern C.C.)
Peter Hooley, Fr., G, 6-4, 195, South Adelaide, Australia (Concordia College)
Fall Commitments
Chris Page, G, Fr., 6-5, 185, Plainfield, Ind. (Plainfield)
Sam Rowley, F, Fr., 6-6, 240, Sydney, Australia (Knox Grammar School)
Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 205, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Our Savior New American School / Technical Career Institutes)
UAlbany Basketball Spring Signing Profiles
Tanner Gibson
G, 6-1, 180, Zanesville, Ohio (Zanesville)
Associated Press Division II all-state second team ... Eastern District Co-Player of the Year ... named All-District 12, All-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and to the Zanesville Times Recorder first team ... averaged 17.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals, plus shot 75 percent from the line ... scored 32 points in OVAC All-Star Game ... played for Scott Aronhalt, the father of current Great Dane captain Logan Aronhalt ... led the state's third-ranked team to a 21-3 record and the state regional semifinals ... special mention all-state selection as a junior when he averaged 15.3 points and 3.2 assists ... first-team All-Eastern Ohio ... named to Division II state all-tournament team ... scored 26 points in state semifinals against Port Clinton.
Jayson Guerrier
G, 6-4, 210, Winter Springs, Fla. (Oviedo / Alabama Southern C.C.)
Honorable mention NJCAA Division I All-American at Alabama Southern C.C. ... the Eagles posted a 22-9 record, won the Alabama Community College Conference South Division, and reached the regional semifinals ... named ACCC South Division Player of the Year ... averaged 17.9 points and 5.1 rebounds ... shot 58.5 percent from the field and 50.9 percent from the three-point arc ... first-team All-Region XXII ... originally attended South Alabama where he played in 10 games in the 2009-10 season ... 2009 Class 6A fourth-team all-state selection at Oviedo High ... Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 9 Player of the Year and averaged 22.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as a senior ... Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida first team ... Seminole & Volusia County Player of the Year ... Class 6A Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball Nominee ... All-Seminole Athletic Conference.
Peter Hooley
G, 6-4, 195, South Adelaide, Australia (Concordia College)
Vice-captain for South Australia Under-20 Team that won bronze medal at the 2011 Australian National Championships ... third-leading scorer in tournament play with a 19.4 average ... captained Concordia College to the 2009 state championship ... averaged 26.8 points, 5.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds as team won Open A Knockout High School state title ... 2009 Open A School MVP and Country A Grade's top scorer at 35.3 points per game ... toured United States with South Australia Country Team ... member of Under-19 Australian Emus Team that will represent country at 2011 World Championships in Latvia ... won silver medal at the 2010 South Australian Championship ... led Norwood Flames to consecutive State League championships ... Norwood Flames Under-18 Division I MVP ... South Australian Sports Institute graduate.
Paw Prints: Head coach Will Brown also announced that Derrek Tartt, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Chicago, Ill., and Jake Lindfors, a 6-foot-10 sophomore from Elk Grove Village, Ill., have each been granted his release so they can transfer to another institution ... "We wish them the best of luck," Brown said. "We are in the process of helping them find another institution where they can achieve continued success in the classroom and have a more prominent role on the court."
