BATON ROUGE — LSU men’s basketball coach John Brady announced Friday that the signed national letters-of-intent had arrived in the basketball office from two more signees for the 2005-06 season.
That brings to four the number of signees so far in the fall signing period that began on Wednesday.
Papers arriving Friday came from former Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) star Kentrell Gransberry, who is entering his second year at San Jacinto Junior College in Texas, and, Chris Johnson of Montrose, Va., who is at the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina.
Gransberry, a 6-9 forward, helped lead Woodlawn to state championships in 2002 and 2003 and was the championship game MVP in 2002. This past year at San Jacinto Gransberry averaged 11.3 points and 12.6 rebounds (second in the nation in junior college play). He had 12 double-doubles and he earned second-team All-Conference honors.
“With the signing of Kentrell, we have added a player with physical size and strength,” said Brady. “He will be able to defend around the goal, rebound in our league, and score when necessary. We are excited about Kentrell’s decision and look forward to his contributions to our team.”
Johnson, 6-11, averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks per game last year at Colonial Beach High School in Montrose. He will be playing this season at the same prep school that sent the Tigers present sophomore Regis Koundjia. Over the summer, playing for the Virginia-based Squires, Johnson averaged 10.5 points and 10 rebounds.
“Chris Johnson brings to our team a player who will be extremely versatile and will be used in a variety of ways. With his size, coupled with his skill level and ability to shoot from the perimeter, he adds a dimension to our team that will present match-up problems for our opponents.
“In addition,” Brady said, “both of these young men are of quality character and very good students. We are excited about both additions to our program.”
This most recent duo join previously announced signees Tasmin Mitchell of Denham Springs High School and Ben Voogd of Florence, Ore.