Marquette Announces Latest Recruiting ClassNov. 15, 2007
Coach Crean Opening CommentsCoach Crean on Joseph Fulce (Audio)Coach Crean on Chris Otule (Audio)Coach Crean on Tyshawn Taylor (Audio)Crean on Nick Williams (Audio) Milwaukee - The Marquette University men's basketball team has announced the signing of Joseph Fulce (Plano, Texas/Tyler JC [TX]), Chris Otule (Richmond, Texas/Ft. Bend Bush HS), Tyshawn Taylor (Hoboken, N.J./St. Anthony's HS) and Nick Williams (Mobile, Ala./LeFlore HS) to a National Letter of Intent and each player will join the program for the 2008-09 campaign.
"When you look at our potential needs in the program there is no question it was an important class for us," head coach Tom Crean said. "We are very proud of the class and the work that went into putting it together. When you move up in this league the talent pool shrinks and you have to be able to go different places to find players and we have been able to do that."
Marquette's most recent additions hail from across the country, from Texas to New Jersey to Alabama.
FULCE is currently in his first season at Tyler Junior College after playing in 2006-07 at Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia. He averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last year and helped the squad to an overall record of 20-9 and a regular season national ranking.
As a senior at Plano High School, Fulce helped guide the team to the state title. He averaged 15.0 points and 9.2 boards per contest that season, leading Plano to a 29-8 overall record and a 60-58 win over Humble Kingwood in the championship matchup. For his efforts, he was named to the all-tournament team.
"Joseph is a versatile player who can rebound and block shots," Crean said. "He will be an excellent transition player for us with the way he runs the floor. He brings a fierceness on defense and will be able to guard a number of positions."
Fulce posted season averages of 18.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a junior. A 6-7, 205-pound forward, will have three seasons of eligibility at Marquette.
OTULE (Oh-two-lay) recently began his senior campaign at Fort Bend Bush High School in Richmond, Texas. In his season debut, he collected 16 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks for a triple-double. He posted season averages of 5.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game as a junior. He competes at the AAU level with the Houston Lynx.
"Chris has a tremendous upside," Crean said. "He has good hands, athleticism and intelligence to play the position. My mind was made up about his potential after watching him workout for 10 or 15 minutes at the most."
Otule, a 6-10, 245-pound center, will have four years of eligibility with MU.
TAYLOR, one of the nation's top point guards, is ranked 18th at his position by Scout.com and No. 101 overall by Rivals.com. He is entering his senior season at St. Anthony's High School in Jersey City, N.J., and plays for legendary prep mentor Bob Hurley. Taylor chipped in 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 steals and 3.0 assists per outing as a junior, helping the squad to an overall record of 28-1 and an appearance in the state semifinal contest.
"It has been one of our goals to get into the East Coast and sign a marquee player and we have done that with the addition of Tyshawn," Crean said. "He is a tenacious player and proven winner whose natural position is point guard, although right now he could be a combination guard and can play a lot of different ways."
As a sophomore, Taylor and his fellow teammates guided the squad to a state semifinal appearance and a 26-3 overall mark. He competes for the Westchester Hawks in AAU play and was named to the all-tourney team at the LeBron James Skills Academy this past summer. He played his freshman season at Countryside High School in Clearwater, Fla.
Taylor, a 6-3, 175-pound guard, will have four years of eligibility with the Golden Eagles.
WILLIAMS helped lead LeFlore High School in Mobile, Ala., to a 32-3 overall record as a junior and the class 6A state championship. He averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a junior and is ranked No. 34 at his position and No. 145 overall by Rivals.com in his recruiting class. He is ranked No. 32 among 2008 shooting guards by Scout.com. He is also tabbed No. 35 on the ESPN 150 and is the ninth-rated shooting guard on ESPN.com.
"Nick has stayed loyal to us, just as we have to him, and we feel we have added a bona fide BIG EAST combo guard," Crean said. "He is a tough minded, physical player who is a relentless winner and he has worked hard to improve his perimeter scoring."
A member of the Alabama Challenge AAU team, Williams participated in the LeBron James Skills Academy this past summer and was invited to the NBA Top-100 Camp at the University of Virginia.
Williams, a 6-3, 185-pound guard, will have four seasons of eligibility in Milwaukee.
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111507aac.html
