ORONO, Maine – The University Maine men’s basketball program announced that it has received National Letters of Intent from two players that will join the squad for the 2014-15 season.
Aaron Calixte of Stoughton, Massachusetts, and Kevin Little of Wyandanch, New York, have committed to the Black Bears men’s basketball program and are the first two recruits head coach Bob Walsh has brought in since taking over the program.
Calixte, a 5-foot-11 guard, joins the Black Bears after playing two years at Lee Academy. Prior to his time at Lee he was a high school student at Stoughton High School.
“Aaron is a classic lead guard who is tough and smart and will thrive in a high accountability environment,” Walsh said in a news release. “He has a natural ability to make his teammates better and it’s great to have him as a Black Bear.”
Calixte excelled during his time at Lee posting an average of 15 points per game, and six assists per contest, with an assist/turnover ratio of 3-to-1. He also displayed tremendous leadership, serving as team captain last season, and helping Lee to an overall record of 24-11.
Lee’s biggest tournament win was one where Calixte was named first-team all-tournament in the Sun Youth Holy Day tournament in Montreal last winter. Lee won the championship.
Little comes to Orono after most recently completing a postgraduate year at Coastal Academy in central New Jersey, where he played guard. The Long Island native split his high school years between St. John the Baptist in West Islip, New York, and Our Savior New American in Centerreach, N.Y.
“Kevin is a talented versatile guard who is a natural scorer and can affect the game in a lot of ways,” Walsh said. “We’re excited that he bought in to our vision for this program and the championship culture we are going to build.”
During his time at Coastal Academy, Little averaged 23 points and six assists while he served as team captain at both his high school and Coastal Academy from 2011-13.
Little, a 6-0 guard, scored a combined 54 points in two victories over top competition at the Fall High School Showcase held at the Hoop Group Headquarters in Neptune, New Jersey.
Jake Brahney, the author of the Hoop Group tournament recap at the Hoop Group website, tabbed him as one of the showcase’s “Top Performers,” as he was listed with nine other players. Jason Bernstein of the Star Ledger also selected Little as an All-Prep second-team player.
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.