RADFORD, Va. – To go with the four inked during the early period, Radford head coach Brad Greenberg recently announced that Jamal Curry (Charleston, S.C./Porter Gaud School), Gorkem Sonmez (Istanbul, Turkey/St. Mary's Ryken) and Tolga Cerrah (Ankara, Turkey/ODTU) have also signed National Letters of Intent to join the men's basketball team for the 2009-10 season.
Jamal Curry
6-9, 190, Forward
Charleston, S.C./Porter Gaud School
As a senior for Coach John Pearson averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks per game… Named to the SCISA (South Carolina Independent School Association) All-State and All-Star team this past season… Also selected to the Sports Report All-State squad following the 2008-09 campaign.
Greenberg on Curry
“We love the enthusiasm and passion Jamal brings to the court. He's an unselfish versatile and skilled forward. His high school coach has done a great job helping him develop sound fundamentals. We are excited about his potential.”
Gorken Sonmez
6-5, 215, Guard
Istanbul, Turkey/St. Mary's Ryken (Leonardtown, Md.)
Member of the U18 Turkish National Team… Averaged 10.6 points per game as a senior at St. Mary's Ryken… Selected to the Washington Catholic Athletic League Honorable Mention team.
Greenberg on Sonmez
“We targeted Gorkem last fall because of his basketball IQ, strength, athleticism and all-around game. He's aggressive driving to the basket and has three-point range. His international experience as a member of the U18 Turkish National Team should enable him to be an immediate contributor.”
Tolga Cerrah
6-9, 190, Forward
Ankara, Turkey/ODTU
Member of the U18 Turkish National Team… Also played for his country's U16 National Team… Attends one of the most competitive high schools in Turkey.
Greenberg on Cerrah
“Tolga is a developing power forward, who is comfortable facing the basket and is a strong rebounder. He's a stellar student from one of the most competitive academic schools (ODTU) in Turkey. He's a hard worker who's determined to reach his potential both on and off the court.
Click Here to read about the four student-athletes that joined the men's basketball team during the early signing period.
2008-09 Men's Basketball Recap
The 2008-09 season began with a feel of the past as the Highlanders played their first nine home games in the 500-seat Peters Hall before concluding the campaign in front of a school-record 20,226 fans in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. against the eventual national champion North Carolina Tar Heels.
Greenberg led his club to the biggest turnaround in league history. After finishing seventh in 2007-08, Radford claimed its fourth Big South regular season title and just its second tournament crown in school history.
Despite beginning the 2008-09 campaign with a 4-9 mark, Radford upped its play when it mattered most winning 17 of its last 20 contests to finish 21-12 overall.
To go along with their seventh 20-win season in school history, the Highlanders tied the conference record for league wins in a season with 15. Radford also won a school-record nine-straight games away from home, which is currently the second longest streak in the nation behind only Connecticut.
