Former Washington prep star Stafford joins UAA men

ANCHORAGE (Aug. 29) – Alaska Anchorage head coach Rusty Osborne has added another athletic, junior-college standout to his 2012-13 squad as he announced Wednesday that former Washington prep star Teancum Stafford has joined the Seawolves.

Originally from Auburn, Wash., Stafford earned honorable mention All-Scenic West Conference honors last season at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. The 6-5, 205-pound forward averaged 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 36 percent on three-pointers as a freshman in 2011-12, returning to the court after a three-year absence to serve a church mission.

“We are excited about Teancum’s commitment to our program. He fills an immediate need, and as a sophomore he gives us long-term stability as well,” said Osborne, who has piloted the Seawolves to two straight NCAA Second Round appearances. “He is very athletic and shoots the ball extremely well.”

In high school, Stafford was the South Puget Sound League co-MVP as a senior at Auburn High, helping the Trojans to a 20-0 regular season and their second consecutive Class 3A State Tournament berth.

“Teancum brings experience both on and off the floor and will continue to get better,” Osborne added. “To sit out three years and come back as an all-league player in the best junior-college league in the nation shows his talent level. He should make an immediate impact in our league.”

Stafford is the sixth member of UAA’s 2012-13 recruiting class, joining fellow JC transfers Stephan Heard (F, 6-7, 210, Long Beach, Calif./Jordan HS/Long Beach CC) and Mike MacKelvie (G/F, 6-4, 190, Wilsonville, Ore./Eastern Arizona), plus high school signees John Erickson (G, 6-4/185, Sisters, Ore.), Jalen Little (PG, 5-10/160, Colorado Springs, Colo./Sierra HS) and Collin Spickerman (F, 6-9/205, West Linn, Ore./Jesuit HS).

UAA plays in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Seawolves posted a 23-7 record last season, earning their second straight NCAA Tournament 2nd Round appearance and finishing No. 16 in the D-II top-25 poll.

--GoSeawolves.com--

 

Nate Sagan
Sports Information Director
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK  9508
(907) 786-1295 / nate@uaa.alaska.edu
GoSeawolves.com

 

Calif. JC standout Stephan Heard joins UAA men

Calif. JC standout Stephan Heard joins UAA men

ANCHORAGE (Aug. 28) – The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team has added an athletic presence on the interior as head coach Rusty Osborne announced Tuesday that California junior-college standout Stephan Heard has joined the Seawolf program.

A 6-7, 210-pound post, Heard played last at Long Beach City College, where he was an All-South Coast Conference South Division first-team performer as a sophomore in 2010-11. The Southern California native averaged 12.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks, while shooting 47 percent for a Vikings club that finished 15-12 overall and 9-4 in league play. He will join the Seawolves with two years of eligibility remaining.

“Stephan is a great addition to our program because of his ability to play both frontcourt positions,” said Osborne, who has currently guided UAA to five NCAA Tournament berths in the last seven seasons. “He will be the most athletically gifted player we have had in the last few years, which should add another dimension to both our offense and defense. His ability to rebound on both ends will be crucial to our success. Once he adjusts to our system, we expect him to be one of the most exciting players in the West Region.”

Prior to playing his freshman season at Eastern Arizona College, Heard was a prep standout at Long Beach’s  Jordan High School, where he helped the Panthers to a 23-6 record as a senior in 2008-09.

Heard becomes the fifth member of UAA’s 2012-13 recruiting class, joining fellow JC transfer Mike MacKelvie (G/F, 6-4, 190, Wilsonville, Ore./Eastern Arizona) and high school signees John Erickson (G, 6-4/185, Sisters, Ore.), Jalen Little (PG, 5-10/160, Colorado Springs, Colo./Sierra HS) and Collin Spickerman (F, 6-9/205, West Linn, Ore./Jesuit HS).

UAA plays in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Seawolves posted a 23-7 record last season, earning their second straight NCAA Tournament 2nd Round appearance and finishing No. 16 in the D-II top-25 poll.


--GoSeawolves.com--

 

Nate Sagan
Sports Information Director
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK  9508
(907) 786-1295 / nate@uaa.alaska.edu
GoSeawolves.com