Nov. 9, 2006

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio Head Coach Tim O'Shea has announced that the Bobcat men's basketball program has received four National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

The Bobcats' current 2007 recruiting class includes Tommy Freeman (Muncie, Ind.), Zach Nagtzaam (Ayr, Ontario), Maurice Pearson (Silver Springs, Md.) and DeVaughn Washington (Virginia Beach, Va.).

"It's a really strong early signing period for us," O'Shea said. "These are four guys that I think will be excellent additions to the program. They are all good students, and I think they fit in well with the program that we are trying to build."

Freeman has helped lead Muncie Central High School to the Indiana state title game in each of the past two seasons. A 6-5, 185-pound guard, Freeman knocked down three-pointers at a 45-percent rate as a junior and averaged 10.3 points. Playing guard and forward, Freeman led Central with five rebounds per game and drew a team-best 26 charges. A second-team All-NCC pick a year ago, Freeman is the son of Thomas and Lenette Freeman and intends to major in business at Ohio University.

"Tommy (Freeman) is just an outstanding shooter and has a really good feel for the game," O'Shea said. "He's a guy that we were also impressed with this summer defensively. He is very good at positioning himself, and he's tough, so he's willing to throw his body in front of bigger players to draw fouls. He reminds me a lot of (former Bobcat) Steve Esterkamp with the jump shot and has the basketball IQ of a (former Bobcat) Jeff Halbert, so we are really to happy to add him to the program."

Nagtzaam (pronounced Nag-ZAM), a native of Ayr, Ontario, will become the second player of foreign descent on the Bobcat roster next year. As a 6-11, 235-pound center, Nagtzaam averaged 20 points and nine rebounds last year to lead Southwood Secondary School to a 33-12 record. He also played on the Ontario provincial team that took home the national championship at the Canadian Summer Games and is a two-year member of the Canadian Junior National Team. Nagtzaam was one of 20 players chosen to participate in this past summer's Nike All-Canada Camp. He is the son of John and Christine Nagtzaam and intends to major in either business or exercise physiology at Ohio.

"He (Nagtzaam) can really post up and shoot it," O'Shea said. "He can play the four or the five and is very skilled, athletic and long. He will really add some depth and strength to our frontcourt, and I think as he puts on strength will become an outstanding player."

Pearson is young for his class - he will turn 17 at the beginning of his senior season - but already possesses a 6-9, 220-pound frame. At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Pearson averaged 17 points and 10 rebound as a junior and was named to the Washington Post All-Metro Third Team. He also garnered All-Montgomery Conference and All-Montgomery Gazette honors. Pearson, the son of Leah Evans, intends to major in business at Ohio.

"Pearson is long and a very athletic player with a huge upside," O'Shea said. "We were able to see him this summer and were impressed with the things he can accomplish on the court."

Washington is a 6-8, 225-pound forward from Kempsville High School. Washington has averaged nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks during his prep career, including 11 points, seven boards and four blocks as a junior to earn All-Virginia Beach Second Team honors. Washington is the son of Asiyah Ali and is currently undecided on a college major.

"DeVaughn (Washington) can play the three or the four and is a very athletic player with a tremendous upside," O'Shea said. "He is one of the more athletic kids that we have been able to recruit to the program, and I think DeVaughn is going to have a great career with us."

Half of Ohio's 2006-07 roster - six players - will exhaust their eligibility this year. With the four current commitments for next year, the Bobcats have two available scholarships remaining for 2007-08. The current early signing period will end on Nov. 15 while the late signing period will run from April 11-May 16, 2007.

"All four of these guys we feel have the potential to contribute right away and have outstanding careers in the Mid-American Conference," O'Shea said. "I've got to give a lot of credit to (assistant coaches) John Rhodes, Kevin Kuwik and Brian Townsend for their hard work in attracting what I think will turn out to be a very successful recruiting class."