Nov. 19, 2007

George Mason University head men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga is pleased to announce the signing of four high school seniors to national letters-of-intent. Those players will matriculate to Mason in the fall of 2008 and will compete for the Patriots beginning with the 2008-09 season.

Andre Cornelius, a 5-foot, 10-inch point guard out of Victory Christian High School in Charlotte, N.C., Kevin Foster, a 6'7" forward out of Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Fla., Michael Morrison, a 6'9" forward out of Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Fla. and Ryan Pearson, a 6'6" forward out of Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y., make up another top-shelf recruiting class for the Patriots.

"The common dominator for these guys is they all come from great families and have a very bright future ahead of them," Larranaga said. "They all have been extremely well coached and come from winning programs. None of these guys have been spoiled by the recruiting process and are excited about proving how good they are at the college level."

Cornelius was named the top point guard recruit in the CAA by Rivals.com and #64 in the nation by Prep Stars. Playing for Johms Gool at Victory Christian H.S., he averaged 20 points per game and five assists as a junior playing in an up-tempo offense. He was named a National Association of Christian Athletes All-American and the Most Outstanding Player as he led his team to the Division I Boys Basketball national championship.

"He's at his best against the best teams," said Gool. "He's been unstoppable against the best teams. His ability to break down the defense, to draw the defense and to dish the ball. If he doesn't draw defensive help, he scores. He's got great athleticism and that separates him from guys with equal skills."

"Andre Cornelius is jet quick," Larranaga said. "He can penetrate and score or set up his teammates for easy shots. He has the speed and quickness to be an outstanding defender in our uptempo style of play."

Foster was named the top power forward recruit in the CAA by Rivals.com. Playing for Drew Taylor at Kathleen H.S., he averaged 16 points per game and eight rebounds per game as a junior while being named honorable mention All-State. "I think Kevin's best basketball is ahead of him," said Taylor. "I think he's an NBA small forward. He gets up and down the floor extremely well, he defends the three, four and five and he's a deadly mid-range shooter. We're trying to make him into a long-range shooter as well."

"Kevin Foster is different from any player we have recruited to George Mason in my eleven years," Larranaga said. "He is truly a threat both inside and outside. He can post up and score like a big man but he can stroke the 3 like a guard. He is an excellent rebounder and is very physical for a high school player. His long-range potential is outstanding."

Morrison plays in a fastbreak style offense for Daniel Wright at Lakewood H.S. As a junior, he averaged 12 points per game, seven rebounds per game and four blocks per game. Like his older brothers, Morrison has been named All-State. "Michael's a bit between a finesse player and a power player," said Wright. "He's a very good shot blocker and he passes well out of the post. He's still developing as an offensive player but he has the potential to become a very good low post player with a good mid-range jumper."

"Mike Morrison has the size and athletic ability to dominate a game once he gets stronger and develops a quality offensive post game," Larranaga said. "He is smart and competitive. He is probably the best shot blocker we have signed since George Evans."

Pearson comes from one of the nation's top programs where he plays for Bob Oliva. He was brought up to the varsity midway through his sophomore year and has started ever since. As a junior, he averaged 10 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game. "He's long, lean, lanky, deceptive and left-handed," said Oliva." He scores around the basket a lot. He's not a post player, not a perimeter player, he just gets out and scores in many different ways."

"Ryan Pearson is a jack of all trades," Larranaga said. "Ryan can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court. He can score, rebound and defend. He has played with and against great competition in NYC."

"We are very excited that these young men who have chosen George Mason and know our fans will really appreciate their energy, enthusiasm and talent," Larranaga said.