University of Albany Men's Basketball Signs Power Forward For 2009-10 - UAlbany Sports 2009

A pair of Texas-based Web sites reported 6-8 power forward Fran Urli has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University at Albany for the 2009-10 season.

A junior-college transfer, Urli suited up for Panola College for the past two seasons.

It was believed the Great Danes had filled all of their scholarships for next season, but the reports of Urli’s signing suggest otherwise.

From Shelby County (TX) Today and also reported by the Longview (TX) News-Journal…

Fran Urli, a sophomore at Panola College , has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University of Albany . Urli, a 6-8 power forward from Zagreb , Croatia averaged 10.2ppg, 7.1rpg and 1.3apg this season at Panola while shooting 103-213 (48.4%) from the field, 6-14 (42.9%) from 3 and 94-135 (69.6%) from the FT line. Fran Urli was a Region XIV All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, as well as earning Academic All-Conference recognition. He was also the recipient of the Buddy Lowery Award, as the top male student-athlete at Panola College.

As a freshman in 2008-09, he averaged 6.0ppg and 3.3rpg, while shooting 56-94 (59.6%) from the field, 2-5 (40.0%) from 3 and 43-60 (71.7%) from the FT line.

Below is the list of players who were expected to be back (or arriving) for the 2009-10 season. The NCAA allows 13 scholarships for Division I basketball programs.

G Billy Allen
G Tim Ambrose
G/F Logan Aronhalt
G Louis Barraza
G Mike Black
C Brett Gifford
F Gavin Glanton
F Will Harris
G Mike Johnson
F Jake Lindfors
F Scotty McRae
F Blake Metcalf
G Derrek Tartt
F Fran Urli
G/F Ralph Watts

Freshman F/C John Puk is expected to redshirt for 2009-10 without receiving a scholarship, while Scotty McRae agreed to pay his own way. That leaves the Danes with 14 others, meaning another player must be without a scholarship.

Courtesy: Jon Campbell