University of Albany Basketball Signs Mike Black & Derrek Tartt to National Letters of Intent for 2009-10 Season - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Tuesday, April 21 that two student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2009-10 academic year. Mike Black, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard from Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick H.S.) and Derrek Tartt, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard from Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick H.S. / Brewster Academy), each made his commitment.

Black earned special mention Class 3A/4A all-state recognition by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) as senior. He averaged 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.1 steals. Black was chosen to the Pioneer Press All-Area second team and received All-Suburban and All-Chicago High School Athletic League recognition. He participated in the Catholic League and City vs. Suburban all-star contests. The Friars, under head coach John Quinn, reached the Class 4A regional final.

"Mike is a talented point guard who can both run a team and score," Brown offered. "He is athletic and a tremendous on-the-ball defender. A quality student-athlete, Mike comes from arguably one of the best academic institutions in the state of Illinois."

Tartt led Brewster Academy in New Hampshire the National Prep School Championship's semifinal round. Head coach Jason Smith's squad finished with an 18-6 record. One of nine players off his prep team to sign with an NCAA Division I program, Tartt combined for 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He and Black were teammates at Fenwick High in 2007-08. A McDonald's All-America nominee, Tartt was runner-up for Chicago High School Athletic League player of the year and received honorable mention all-state honors. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists en route to being chosen All-Suburban and all-league.

"Derrek is a versatile player who we anticipate can work at all three perimeter positions," said Brown about a guard who also played for the Illinois Wolves AAU program. "He can attack the rim with the dribble and has the ability to consistently knock down three-point shots. His year at Brewster will be of great benefit as he had an opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the country."

Gavin Glanton, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward from Forrest City, Ark. (Forrest City H.S.), Blake Metcalf, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound center from Camby, Ind. (Plainfield H.S.), and Ralph Watts, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound swingman from Peekskill, N.Y. (Peekskill H.S.), each signed during the November period.



2009-10 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings

Name Pos. Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)

Mike Black G Fr. 6-1 175 Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick)

Gavin Glanton F Fr. 6-7 200 Forrest City, Ark. (Forrest City)

Blake Metcalf C Fr. 6-9 250 Camby, Ind. (Plainfield)

Derrek Tartt G Fr. 6-3 180 Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick / Brewster Academy)

Ralph Watts G/F Fr. 6-5 195 Peekskill, N.Y. (Peekskill)



SCOTTY McRAE REINSTATED: UAlbany head coach Will Brown has reinstated Scotty McRae as a member of the basketball program. McRae, a 6-foot-8 junior from Rosedale, N.Y., missed the final five games of the 2008-09 campaign due to suspension. "I have reinstated Scotty McRae effective immediately," Brown said. "We had some very productive conversations since the end of the season and I believe Scotty fully understands what he needs to do in order to be successful."

McRae, who averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 21 appearances in his first year with the UAlbany program after transferring from Eastern Wyoming College, has elected to return to the team with the knowledge he will not receive athletic financial aid.

"I am excited about the opportunity and want to finish out my career here," said McRae, who is majoring in political science. "I feel I can help out as a leader, especially with all the freshmen coming in. It's a great school and a great environment."