June 15, 2005
ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Athletic Department has released its 2005-06 men's basketball recruiting class. Five student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to suit up for the Vikings this fall.
"This will be the biggest and most talented team showcased since I have been here", says Shawn Walker who just completed his third season as the head coach at ECSU. "This year's team will have size along with experienced returning players. I am excited about the season that lies ahead."
Out of Lauderhill, FL, ECSU will welcome Benjamin Bridges, a 6-7, 235 pound post player. Bridges was an All-Conference performer at St. Petersburg Community College, averaging 14 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Last season, Bridges played at Stetson University in Deland, FL. Also joining the Viking frontcourt will be Cedric Walker, a 6-8 junior out of Memphis, TN. Walker a transfer from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, MS averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds per game for the Wolves last season. Rounding out the big men is Chapel Hill, NC native Edwin Coker. Coker, a 6-8 forward, comes to ECSU from Rockingham Community College in Wentworth, NC where he averaged 17 points per game. Coker was teammates with current Viking Martin Chavious at East Chapel Hill High School.
New to the Viking backcourt will be Keith Smith and Tyrone Green. Smith, a guard/forward who hails from Harlem, NY, comes to Elizabeth City from Southwestern College (CA) where he averaged 23 points and 8 rebounds per outing, was a First Team All-Conference performer, as well as Pacific Coast Conference Player of the Week (February 6, 2005). Green, a sophomore point guard, transfers to ECSU from North Carolina A& T State University. A native of Washington, NC, Green was named to the 2003 All-MEAC Rookie Team after leading the Aggies in scoring at 13.1 points per game.
The 2005-06 season will display a familiar face with the return of Chesapeake, VA native Tyrone Smith. In 2002-03, in which he started all 28 games for the Vikings, Smith led ECSU in scoring (16.4), assists (4.3), steals (2.8) and free throw percentage (81.1). That season in the CIAA he ranked 13th in scoring, 2nd in steals, 5th in free throw percentage, 4th in assist/turnover ration and 13th in both 3-point field goals made and percentage. He was the 2001 CIAA Rookie of the Year and an All-CIAA selection in 2003.
Last season the Vikings finished 10-18 overall, fifth in the CIAA Eastern Division.
