Five Men's Basketball Players
Sign Letters Of Intent To Play For UC Riverside

(April 16, 2008) – UC Riverside Head Men's Basketball Coach Jim Wooldridge announced today that five student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Highlanders next season: Bryson Hampton, a 6-8, 215 lb post player from Seward County Community College (KS); Brandon Dowdy, a 6-4, 200 lb guard from Imperial Valley College (CA) who also played at Division I University of San Diego; Jessie LoBue a 6-7, 205 lb forward from Gavilan College (CA); Javon Borum a 6-0, 195 lb guard from Wallace State Community College (AL); and Rudy Meo, a 6-4 guard from Cloud County Community College (KS).

"We had a number of needs that we wanted to address this offseason, and we took care of just about every one of them," said Wooldridge. "We've completely revamped the face of the program. We improved our athleticism and brought more scoring to the program in both the frontcourt and the backcourt. These five new athletes, along with our returning players and two transfers from last year, Kyle Austin and Konner Veteto, represent positive steps towards building a championship program here at UC Riverside."

Dowdy was recently named the Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast Conference and First Team All-State. The Highland, CA native averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game this season at Imperial Valley. As a freshman, he played in 13 games in a reserve role at the University of San Diego.

Wooldridge on . . . "Brandon Dowdy brings Division I experience to the program and is coming off of a terrific year at Imperial Valley. He can score from just about anywhere on the floor, and is as athletic as anyone we're likely to see at this level."

Borum earned First Team All Conference, First Team All Region 22 and Honorable Mention All American honors while at Wallace State this season where he averaged 10.9 points, 5.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.94 steals while connecting on 44.8 percent of his three pointers.

Wooldridge on . . . "Javon Borum is the prototypical point guard. He's got great ball-handling skills, good court vision and is a proven winner. His experience and talent will help elevate the program immediately."

Meo was named Second Team All Conference this season at Cloud County after averaging 15.1 points and connecting on 41.2 percent from long range. He also chipped in with 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game. As a freshman, he averaged 10.1 points on 35.6 percent shooting from three-point range while grabbing 4.5 rebounds, handing out 2.1 assists and picking up 1.58 steals per game.

Wooldridge on . . . "Rudy Meo is a skilled two guard, a smart player with a winning track record who will have an immediate impact on our program."

Hampton led the Seward County Saints in field goal percentage last season (.550, 105-188), finished second on the team in blocked shots (31) and third in rebounding (5.1). As a freshman, he finished third on the team in blocked shots (38), third in field goal percentage (.484, 76-157) and fourth in rebound per game (4.6).

Wooldridge on . . . "Bryson Hampton is a long, athletic post player who is a defensive workhorse and will anchor our front line with his ability to rebound and score around the basket."

LoBue, a Santa Cruz native, played for the past two seasons at Gavilan College (CA) where he was a member of the Coast-South Division All-Conference First Team.

Wooldridge on . . . "Jessie LoBue is a very efficient and versatile scorer from the wing position. He also brings a lot of length to the perimeter which was a need we wanted to address."