Xavier University Athletics
Men's Basketball Welcomes Three Recruits
12.12.02 | Men's Basketball
“I am excited about this recruiting class,” said Matta. “We filled our team needs and also added three great people to the program.”
Boubacar Coly, a native of Senegal, averaged 15.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game as a junior at Laurinburg (N.C.) Institute. Last season’s team, which finished 20-4 and ranked number one in the state, spent most of the year in the national “Top 25” in USA Today. Coly, a 2002-03 High Honorable Mention All-American (Street & Smith’s), averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds so far as a senior this season in helping his Laurinburg team jump out to a perfect 9-0 start. Coly’s no stranger to success. He won a National Championship at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) as a sophomore.
Coly’s coach at Laurinburg Institute, Chris Chaney, said he expects “Coly will be a great player at Xavier. He has a nice touch. He rebounds on both ends of the court. He blocks shots. What really sets him apart is he works so hard. He has a great work ethic. He will get better and better."
Matta commented that “Coly is a very good athlete. He can score around the basket and he can step out and hit a jumper. He is very active on defense, including blocking shots.”
Robert Barker averaged 24.1 ppg. for the first 15 games of his junior season at Greensburg High School before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Barker, who earned All-Eastern Indiana Athletic Association honors two straight years, also was leading the team in rebounding, assists and blocked shots. Barker is a 2002-03 Honorable Mention All-American (Street & Smith’s) and a 2002-03 McDonald’s All-American nominee.
Barker’s coach at Greensburg High, Keith Hipskind, said “His offensive skills are exceptional. He shoots very well and his size makes him even more effective. He sees the floor well and is a very good passer. He has a great awareness for court balance, which is one reason we will use him a lot at point guard. He rebounds, plays defense and does all of the little things to make your team better. His jumping ability is not at 100 percent yet but he is getting better every day. ”
Matta said he loves the way Barker shoots the ball. “Robert is a very good shooter with deep range,” said Matta, “and his height at 6-5 will allow him to get his shot off more easily than some players. He’s much more than just a shooter, though. He has a great understanding of the game of basketball.”
Justin Doellman was voted as the 2001-02 Division I Player of the Year by the Northern Kentucky Coaches Association, and 2001-02 Nothern Kentucky Player of the Year by The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Kentucky Post. He averaged 17.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game as a junior. He led his Ryle High School team to its first-ever trip to the Kentucky “Sweet 16” and a final record of 24-10.
Doellman averaged 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.7 blocked shots in three games while leading Ryle to the Ninth Region Championship. Doellman, an honorable mention All-State selection, was named MVP of the 33rd District Tournament and the Ninth Region Tournament. Doellman, a 2002-03 Honorable Mention All-American (Street & Smith’s), entered his senior year with 923 career points, which is just 12 shy of the school record.
Doellman’s coach at Ryle High, Nate Niemi, said “Justin is a 6-8 player with perimeter skills. He can and will play the point for us at times. He can hit the three and he can post up. His versatility sets him apart. He picked up about 20 pounds since last year and continues to work on getting stronger.”
Matta said he really likes Doellman’s versatility. “Justin is a guy who can play many roles or positions for us,” said Matta. “He passes it. He shoots it. He can rebound. He is a complete player.”
