Nov. 16, 2004
FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason University head coach Jim Larranaga announced Tuesday that Chris Fleming and Samuel "Sammy" Hernandez signed National Letters of Intent during the NCAA early signing period to play men's basketball for the Patriots, beginning in the 2005-06 season.
"We are very excited to have Chris and Sammy join the George Mason program," expressed Larranaga. They are both extremely talented student-athletes and their additions will pay immediate dividends for us, especially in the frontcourt."
Fleming is a 6-8, 230-pound senior forward out of Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, Va, where he plays for head coach Bob Lake. Fleming averaged 15.0 points per game as a junior, earning all-Cedar Run honors for the Yellow Jackets.
"Chris is a diamond in the rough," stated Larranaga. "He has developed steadily throughout his high school career and will continue that development in his senior season. He is an excellent post-up player, and we are looking forward to having his size, strength and ability on the court."
"After spending time with [the players and the coaching staff], I thought I could spend four years with them," stated Fleming. "Basketball is important to me, and I wanted to be on a winning program."
Hernandez, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound forward out of Arlington Country Day High School in Jacksonville, Fla., averaged 17.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game last season for head coach Rex Morgan. He started as a freshman and a sophomore for Miami Christian School, winning a state title and finishing the season with a No. 7 ranking in the country.
"Sammy plays on one of the best high school teams in the country at Arlington Country Day High School," mentioned Larranaga, "where he routinely faces top 50 caliber competition in practice. He is an extremely smart player and an exceptional passer, who is relentless at both ends of the court; he is also a terrific rebounder for his size.
"Sammy plays exceptionally well facing or with his back to the basket. His versatility, out-going personality and experience playing for the Miami Tropics, one of the truly great AAU programs in the country coached by Art Alvarez, attracted us to him."
George Mason began its 2004-05 season last weekend at the Memphis regional of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. The Patriots (1-1) won their first round match over IPFW, 69-51, but fell at nationally-ranked Memphis, 75-58, in the regional championship game.
Mason's next match is its home opener, which is slated for Saturday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Patriot Center against Duquesne.
