Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 15, 1993 TAG: 9305150017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Basham spent his senior year at St. John's Prospect Hall in Frederick, Md., where he averaged 10.2 points and 9.4 rebounds for a team that was ranked No. 8 in the country by USA Today.
"I've known where I was going for a while," said Basham, who picked the Pirates over Towson State. "It's [the Colonial Athletic Association] a good conference and I'm looking forward to seeing one of my teammates, Troy Manns, when we play George Mason."
Manns played with Basham at Patrick Henry in 1991-92, when Basham averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds and was named first-team All-Timesland.
"Tim Basham has what I call a complete game," East Carolina coach Eddie Payne said. "He does everything well and nothing poorly. He comes from winning programs and has the winning mentality."
Basham said he expects to back up senior small forward Lester Lyons, who led the Pirates to the CAA championship this past season.
"I'd probably want to be a little lighter," said Basham, who, at 6 feet 5, weighs close to 220 pounds, "but they think I can come in and play as a freshman."
He played power forward for Prospect Hall, which finished 23-2.
"One of the things coaches liked about Timmy was his ability to post up [smaller players] or go outside and hit the 3-pointer," Prospect Hall coach Stu Vetter said. "With the way he's taking care of his body now, I wouldn't be surprised to see him play [shooting] guard in college.
"A lot of people were talking with him, but he's got a good opportunity at East Carolina. It's an up-and-coming program."
Basham, whose older brother, Bernard, plays football at Virginia Tech, met NCAA academic standards when he took the Scholastic Assessment Test in March.
by CNB