Nov. 16, 2005

George Mason men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga has announced that the Patriots have signed three players to national letters-of-intent to play for the Patriots beginning with the 2006-07 season. This year's recruiting class is comprised of Louis Birdsong of Mount St. Joseph High School (Baltimore, Md.), Richard Flemming of Notre Dame Academy (Middleburg, Va.) and Darryl Monroe of Central Florida Community College (Ocala, Fla.).

Birdsong was also recruited by Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, Marshall, Akron and St. Bonaventure. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound power forward transferred to Mount St. Joseph from Randallstown Heights High School prior to his junior season. At Mount St. Joseph, he averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks per game as a junior, leading the Gaels to a 31-4 record and their third straight Baltimore Catholic League Championship. Birdsong comes from the same high school as current Mason starter Will Thomas. Birdsong was named first-team All-Metro, first-team All-MIAA and first-team All-Baltimore Catholic League.

"Louis is a very strong, gifted athlete who is playing for one of the top programs in the country in one of the top leagues in the country," Larranaga said. "He is a tremendous competitor and he really knows how to win. He has great rebounding ability. His coach, Pat Clatchy, is one of the best high school coaches in the country and any time you get a player from his program, you know he will be well prepared."

Flemming is a 6-foot-7, 200-pound wing player who is quick off the dribble and has an excellent first step. Originally from Harrisburg, Pa., he played high school basketball at Milton Hershey School before transferring to Notre Dame Academy for his senior year. As a junior at Milton Hershey, Flemming averaged 16.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks.

"Richard Flemming is a high-energy athlete with great straight-away speed and very good versatility," Larranaga said. "He can play inside but we expect him to be more of a small forward. He can shoot the three but his ability to run the court and play in an up-tempo offense will be a great asset for us. Richard is a very strong student and he uses his intelligence very well on the court. His coach at Notre Dame Academy, Kevin Martin, will really help him develop and will prepare him well to make the transition to the college game."

Monroe is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound power forward from Virginia Beach, Va. He played high school basketball at First Colonial High School. As a freshman at Central Florida C.C., he averaged 17 points, 9 rebounds and five assists. He received interest from more than 40 Division I schools before selecting the Patriots.

"Darryl is a very skilled athlete with terrific size, speed and athletic ability," Larranaga said. "As good a scorer as he is and as good a rebounder as he is, he is even a better passer. His experience at the junior college level will allow him to make the adjustment to Division I very easy. Tim Ryan has done a great job of building a program at Central Florida and he has helped Darryl become a terrific all-around player."

"All three of our signees are ready to play right now."