FSUs Leonard Hamilton Adds Two Recruits
Less than a month ago, Leonard Hamilton (right) returned to the college game when he was hired by Florida State to replace Steve Robinson. He and assistant coaches Stan Jones, Mike Jaskulski and Tony Sheals efforts to improve the program have born fruition as this past week the ACC school announced the signing of two recruits for the class of 2002.
Joing the Seminoles later this year will be Al Thornton, a 6-8 power forward from Perry (GA) High School and Benson Callier, a 6-5 guard who this season played at George Junior Republic (GJR) High School in Grove City, PA.
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Thornton averaged 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 blocked shots and 2.0 steals as a senior this past season. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) All-Star game and the Georgia/Tennessee All-Star Game following his senior season in addition to earning Class AAA All-State honorable mention honors. He scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Georgia/Tennessee All-Star game. Thornton was also named the middle-Georgia Player of the Year by the Macon Telegraph.
Thornton, who choose FSU over Cincinnati, is also scheduled to participate in this month's Georgia/Florida All-Star game in Orlando, FL.
Callier, a St. Petersburg, FL, native, averaged 18.0 points, 10. 0 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots in leading George Junior Republic (GJR) to the state tournament. He was named to the Big School All-State First Team and the Mercer County Conference MVP. Callier was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Pennsylvania/Ohio All-Star game as he scored a game-record 31 points in leading his team to victory.
Callier helped GJR top then number one St. Mary/St. Vincent High School with super junior LeBron James in a 58-57 overtime victory as he scored 14 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and recorded four blocked shots.
Thornton and Callier join Todd Galloway, a top point guard from Baltimore, MD, and the National Chrisdtian Academy prep school program as member of Florida State's class of 2002.
Hamilton will be looking to improve on last season's 12-17 (4-12 ACC) record.