University of Albany Men's Basketball Signs Three Student-Athletes to Complete Class for 2008-09 Academic Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Friday, May 30 that three student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2008-09 academic year. Louis Barraza, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound swingman from Phoeniz, Ariz. (Trevor Browne H.S.), Michael Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound guard from Brooklyn, N.Y. (Sheepshead Bay H.S.), and Edmund "Scotty" McRae, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Rosedale, N.Y. (Benjamin Cardozo H.S.), each made his commitment.

"I am very excited about the talent level and versatility of this class," Brown said. "We feel that we addressed our biggest need which was scoring. All of the student-athletes that we signed can score the ball. This class also brings balance to the make-up of our roster (three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen)."

Barraza, who attended Yavapai Community College in 2007-08, was named the Arizona Community College Freshman of the Year. He was named to the NJCAA All-Region I second team after averaging 20.1 points and nearly 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Barraza, who shot 50.3 percent from three-point range, was also chosen second-team all-conference. As a high school senior, he accounted for 19.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and played in the Arizona 4A-5A North-South All-Star Game.

Johnson, one of six players from Blinn (Texas) College to sign with a Division I program, earned second-team All-Region XIV recognition last season. He averaged 15.7 points and 5.7 assists, plus ranked 13th nationally in steals at 3.4 per game. He shot 54.6 percent from the field and 78.7 percent from the line in leading the Buccaneers to an 18-13 record. Johnson, who was a 20-game starter the previous year at Howard College, was a second-team All-Brooklyn selection as a senior at Sheepshead Bay High.

McRae led Eastern Wyoming College (23-13) to the Region IX championship and a NJCAA national tournament appearance. McRae was among the top-15 in the region in scoring (15.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.9), plus averaged 2.1 blocked shots. He was voted first-team All-Region IX and to the Central Sub-Region squad. McRae, who had 29 points in an overtime win against Western Nebraska, attended Benjamin Cardozo High as a high school senior.

Logan Aronhalt, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound swingman from Zanesville, Ohio (Zanesville H.S.), Jake Lindfors, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward from Addison, Ill. (Driscoll Catholic H.S.), and Anthony Raffa, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard from Strathmere, N.J. (Wildwood Catholic H.S.), each made his commitment during the November signing period.

Aronhalft, who averaged 23.2 points in his final scholastic season, was named the Ohio Division I Player of the Year by the OHSBCA. Lindfors was chosen second-team all-state in Illinois by the IBS and IBCA after averaging 25.9 points and 11.9 rebounds. Raffa, a second-team Associated Press all-state selection in New Jersey as a high school senior, led Winchendon (Mass.) School to the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Class A championship final.

2008-09 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings
Name, Pos., Cl., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School / Junior College)
Logan Aronhalt, G/F, Fr., 6-4, 215, Zanesville, Ohio (Zanesville)
Louis Barraza,G/F, So., 6-5, 200, Phoenix, Ariz. (Trevor Browne / Yavapai (Ariz.) Community College)
Michael Johnson, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Sheepshead Bay / Blinn (Texas) College)
Jake Lindfors, F, Fr., 6-9, 220, Addison, Ill. (Driscoll Catholic)
Edmund "Scotty" McRae, F, Jr., 6-8, 210, Rosedale, N.Y. (Benjamin Cardozo / Eastern Wyoming College)
Anthony Raffa, G, Fr., 6-1, 180, Strathmere, N.J. (Wildwood Catholic / Winchendon School)