 |
| FORMER LEESBURG YELLOW JACKETS STANDOUT FRANCIS "FATS" CUYLER AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE |
The Ex-leesburg Star Will Go From Junior College To Middle Tennessee State.
LAKE SPORTS
Leesburg's boys basketball team now has two former players in NCAA Division I programs, and Coach Chad Keller couldn't be prouder.
Last week, during a visit to Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn., guard Francis Cuyler signed with the Blue Raiders. Cuyler joins another Leesburg grad, Marlyn Bryant (University of South Florida), as former Yellow Jackets playing Division I.
"We are all very excited because Francis is now our second guy to go out there and sign a Division I scholarship,'' Keller said. "I just made a point with my entire program yesterday [Tuesday] and I told them there was something special that separated Marlyn Bryant and Francis Cuyler from everyone else I have coached.
Last week, during a visit to Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn., guard Francis Cuyler signed with the Blue Raiders. Cuyler joins another Leesburg grad, Marlyn Bryant (University of South Florida), as former Yellow Jackets playing Division I.
"We are all very excited because Francis is now our second guy to go out there and sign a Division I scholarship,'' Keller said. "I just made a point with my entire program yesterday [Tuesday] and I told them there was something special that separated Marlyn Bryant and Francis Cuyler from everyone else I have coached.
"They will be college players and college graduates. I told the players, if you go to every teacher who taught them and they will tell you there was something special about each of them. They are just first-class kids. They are respectful of everyone. Back then, I knew those two guys had something special.''
Cuyler, a 6-foot guard, played the past two years at Cowley County (Kan.) Community College, where he averaged 18.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game last season. He was a preseason community college All-American this season, led the Jayhawk Conference in steals (80) and had the 12th-best scoring season in school history (583 points).
By signing with Middle Tennessee (17-12), Cuyler joins a program that was on the verge of making it to the NCAA Tournament this past season -- losing to Louisiana-Lafayette 70-66 in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game -- and has the majority of its starters returning. But the Blue Raiders are looking to replace three senior guards, including four-year starter Tommy Gunn, point guard Keith Connor and wing Marcus Robinson.
"They needed a perimeter player. They were losing their leading scorer [Gunn] and I felt real comfortable around their players,'' Cuyler said about his visit to the school last week. "We have a chance to go to the [NCAA] tournament.
"When I went there [Middle Tennessee], it kind of caught me by surprise. When you think of Middle Tennessee, you kind of thing of it as being a small school. But the school has a big arena.''
Cuyler, who already had visited the University of Evansville (Ind.) and canceled planned visits scheduled with Illinois State in Normal, Ill., and Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas, when he signed.
"Fats [Cuyler's nickname] represents what we are all about -- toughness, winning and he's been extremely well-coached at [Leesburg High School] and in junior college,'' Middle Tennessee Coach Kermit Davis said in a release from the school's media relations department. "He has a big heart, he wills his team to win, plus he's a very talented guy. He shoots for a high percentage, and he has a skill level that makes others around him better.''
Keller, meanwhile, believes the success of Bryant and Cuyler can serve as examples of what can be accomplished by his players if they work hard on the court and in the classroom.
"We have had a lot of guys sign basketball scholarships out of Leesburg High School,'' Keller said. "But once they get there, for some reason they don't get the job done in the classroom. But Francis and Marlyn are doing everything right, on the court and off the court.
"They are just great role models for our kids.''
Resources
April 23, 2004
Joe Williams
Sentinel Staff Writer
Orlando Sentinel
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
No comments:
Post a Comment