DC Swingman Signs With VA School

Ulrich Kossekpa, a 6-5 swingman who completed his high school career at St. John's High School in Washington, DC, has signed an institutional letter with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.

Kossekpa was one of many players from the Newport School in Kensington, MD, who transferred following Head Coach Chris Chaney's decision to take over the Laurinburg Institute program in NOrth Carolina.

Kossekpa was a member of the Capital All-Stars in this year's Metro Classic All-Star game. He was also being recruited by Dayton, Towson and Niagara.

Kossekpa joins Wes Miller, a 6-0 point guard from New Hampton Prep in New Hampshire and Jon Plefka, a 6-9 forward from New Britain (CT) High School as JMU's class of 2002. Plefka had originally committed to Rutgers for football but decided to concentrate on basketball.

In addition, David Cooper, a 6-7, 200 pound combo forward from Division II Southern New Hampshire University announced this spring that he would transfer to JMU. Under NCAA rules, he will need to sit out the 2002-03 season. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. Cooper averaged 8.1 points and a team-leading 4.7 rebounds for a 17-11 team.