Bobcats Add JC Center, Forward
5/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State coach Mick Durham added depth and athleticism to the Bobcat front-line Wednesday, signing a pair of Oklahoma junior college transfers to National Letters-of-Intent.
Alioune Beye, a 6-11, 210 lb center from Eastern Oklahoma Junior College, and 6-7, 200 lb forward Taylor Pratt from Northeastern Oklahoma, join the Bobcat program next fall, Durham said. "Al and Taylor give us some athletic ability inside, and they'll really help our depth," Durham said. "They're both long, and they are both capable defensive players. The Oklahoma junior college league is one of the better junior college leagues in the country, so both of these guys have seen some outstanding competition and should be battle-tested."
Beye, originally from Dakar, Senegal, comes to Bozeman as an accomplished defensive player, according to Eastern Oklahoma coach Jimmy Voight. "He's a versatile athlete, thin, wiry strong," Voight said. "He's a pure post player. When this kid came over from Senegal he was 164 lbs the first time we weighed him. He's made great strides in his two years in our program. Like most African kids that come over here, he was much more advanced defensively than offensively. He has the ability to block shots, the ability to defend the low post. We continue to see improvement offensively." Voight indicated that Beye won the school's Larry Stone Award for athletic accomplishment, leadership, citizenship, and character.
Durham is impressed with Beye's athleticism and wingspan. "Al is long and athletic, and gives us a different look than what you see a lot of in this conference," Durham said. "We desparately needed another center in our program, and Al is a shot-blocker who runs the court well. He's made great strides in the two years he's been in Oklahoma. He's a player with great upside. I love the type of person he is, too. He is an excellent student and a good person who will be a nice addition to our program."
Pratt also brings an athletic presence to the Bobcat frontcourt as a power forward, Durham said. "I've been intrigued by Taylor since I saw him last summer. He's an undersized four man who can run and is very athletic. He's a developing player, but he'll add good depth at the power forward spot. He's a solid student, and he'll be a good fit for us."
Pratt, from Will Rogers High in Tulsa, brings good defensive credentials to the Bobcat program, said NEO coach Jason Turk. "Taylor is a really nice athlete who runs the floor very well," Turk said. "He has outrageously long arms and gets his hands on a lot of balls. He's a really good offensive rebounder and a very good shot blocker, and he shoots the basketball well. He needs to continue to put on some weight, but if he can continue to do that he'll have a good career there. He's a really good kid, too."
Pratt and Beye join spring signee Marvin Moss, a power forward, to add depth and versatility to the MSU front line. The addition of guards Ja'Ron Jefferson, signed this spring, and Branden Miller, who signed last fall, gives MSU a more versatile and athletic backcourt, as well. The 'Cats could sign at least one more player this spring, Durham said.
Alioune Beye, a 6-11, 210 lb center from Eastern Oklahoma Junior College, and 6-7, 200 lb forward Taylor Pratt from Northeastern Oklahoma, join the Bobcat program next fall, Durham said. "Al and Taylor give us some athletic ability inside, and they'll really help our depth," Durham said. "They're both long, and they are both capable defensive players. The Oklahoma junior college league is one of the better junior college leagues in the country, so both of these guys have seen some outstanding competition and should be battle-tested."
Beye, originally from Dakar, Senegal, comes to Bozeman as an accomplished defensive player, according to Eastern Oklahoma coach Jimmy Voight. "He's a versatile athlete, thin, wiry strong," Voight said. "He's a pure post player. When this kid came over from Senegal he was 164 lbs the first time we weighed him. He's made great strides in his two years in our program. Like most African kids that come over here, he was much more advanced defensively than offensively. He has the ability to block shots, the ability to defend the low post. We continue to see improvement offensively." Voight indicated that Beye won the school's Larry Stone Award for athletic accomplishment, leadership, citizenship, and character.
Durham is impressed with Beye's athleticism and wingspan. "Al is long and athletic, and gives us a different look than what you see a lot of in this conference," Durham said. "We desparately needed another center in our program, and Al is a shot-blocker who runs the court well. He's made great strides in the two years he's been in Oklahoma. He's a player with great upside. I love the type of person he is, too. He is an excellent student and a good person who will be a nice addition to our program."
Pratt also brings an athletic presence to the Bobcat frontcourt as a power forward, Durham said. "I've been intrigued by Taylor since I saw him last summer. He's an undersized four man who can run and is very athletic. He's a developing player, but he'll add good depth at the power forward spot. He's a solid student, and he'll be a good fit for us."
Pratt, from Will Rogers High in Tulsa, brings good defensive credentials to the Bobcat program, said NEO coach Jason Turk. "Taylor is a really nice athlete who runs the floor very well," Turk said. "He has outrageously long arms and gets his hands on a lot of balls. He's a really good offensive rebounder and a very good shot blocker, and he shoots the basketball well. He needs to continue to put on some weight, but if he can continue to do that he'll have a good career there. He's a really good kid, too."
Pratt and Beye join spring signee Marvin Moss, a power forward, to add depth and versatility to the MSU front line. The addition of guards Ja'Ron Jefferson, signed this spring, and Branden Miller, who signed last fall, gives MSU a more versatile and athletic backcourt, as well. The 'Cats could sign at least one more player this spring, Durham said.
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