University of Albany Men's Basketball Announces Fran Urli Has Signed to Play for UAlbany in 2009-10 Academic Year - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Wednesday, June 24 that Fran Urli, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Zagreb, Croatia, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2009-10 academic year.

Urli was selected to the All-Region XIV honorable mention all-conference team in his sophomore season at Panola College in Texas. He averaged 10.2 points and 7.1 rebounds, plus shot 48.4 percent from the field in leading his team to a 16-14 campaign. Urli ranked 16th among the Region XIV leaders in rebounding. He received the Buddy Lowery Award as the school's top male student-athlete and was chosen academic all-conference. Urli contributed 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman in his first year at the Texas school. He is the fourth player from the Panola program to sign with a Division I program.

"Fran Urli is a very skilled power forward who can score inside and out," said UAlbany coach Will Brown about a player who was a member of the Croatian U16 and U18 national teams. "He will add talent and versatility to our lineup and I expect him to present match-up challenges for our opponents. More importantly, Fran is a great person and an excellent student."

Gavin Glanton, a 6-foot-7, 215-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. Mike Black, a 6-foot, 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 in April.

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2009-10 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings

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

Mike Black G Fr. 6-0 175 Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick)

Gavin Glanton F Fr. 6-7 215 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)

Fran Urli F Jr. 6-8 220 Zagreb, Croatia (Panola College)

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