THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504230169
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
A good recruiting year for Old Dominion got better Saturday when shooting guard Mike Byers of Hargrave Military Academy told the Monarchs he would accept a basketball scholarship.
Byers will sign a national letter-of-intent today, Hargrave coach Scott Shepherd said. Byers becomes the fifth high school senior to sign with ODU, joining a vaunted foursome of November signings that recruiting analysts rated among the top 25 in the nation.
Byers, 6-foot-2, will help shore up ODU's outside shooting, one of the Monarchs' few apparent weaknesses next season.
``Mike can definitely hit the 3-pointer, no question about that,'' Shepherd said. ``The chance to play right away was one of the big factors.''
Byers was one of several players on Hargrave's post-graduate team to go on to Division I schools. He averaged 15 points and six assists last season while playing out of position at point guard because Hargrave had no one else who could handle the ball. Shepherd said in addition to his outside shooting, Byers is an excellent athlete and good defensive player.
Byers went to William Monroe High School in Stanardsville, located about 25 miles north of Charlottesville. He chose ODU over Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison - the only other school he visited. Shepherd said Byers spurned overtures from Dayton, Virginia Tech, Richmond, Florida, Clemson and Wisconsin.
NCAA rules prohibit ODU coaches from commenting about Byers until they receive his signed national letter-of-intent. Byers could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Byers fills a scholarship that became available when reserve Mark Johnson decided to transfer. by CNB