Wednesday marks the start of the National Letter of Intent early signing period for Division I basketball and the University of Maine men’s basketball program expects to add three players.
Lavar Harewood, Ilija Stojiljkovic and Devine Eke have recently made a verbal commitment to join coach Bob Walsh’s team starting for the 2015-16 school year.
Harewood, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Brooklyn, New York, was the first of the three players to choose UMaine. He announced his decision via Twitter, posting, “I’m Officially committed to the University of Maine and it feels great!!!!! #D1Bound#freeride#umaine’19#timetoeat”
Harewood is preparing for his third season at The Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts. He helped Brooks post a 21-6 record and finish second in the Independent School League.
Last week, it was Stojiljkovic’s turn. Adam Finkelstein of New England Basketball Services revealed the 6-foot-7 forward from Bosnia, who is attending Lee Academy, will play at UMaine next year.
The versatile Stojiljkovic had a successful season with OKK Nibac of the Junior League of Serbia, where he averaged 15.7 points, nine rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals and one blocked shot.
On Monday, NJHoops.com reported that Eke, a 6-foot-6 forward from Plainfield, New Jersey, is also headed to Orono next fall. Eke graduated from Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and is attending The Robinson School in Bayonne, New Jersey.
“I Wanna Thank Everyone That Helped Me With my Decision. I’ll Be Attending The University Of Maine…” Eke posted on Twitter on Monday.
According to myCentralJersey.com, Eke as a senior at Union Catholic averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots per game and helped the Vikings post a 21-5 record and claim the Mountain Division championship in the Union County Conference.
“Devine is an incredibly gifted athletic forward. He is high flying and full of energy,” said Union Catholic coach Jim Reagan. “This year of prep will hopefully allow him to get stronger and define his game.
“He can finish near the rim and dunks as hard as anyone I have seen in a long time. He is a fun young man to be around and exhibited tremendous leadership skills throughout his senior season,” Reagan added.
myCentralJersey.com said Eke initially committed to Fairleigh Dickinson University but is taking a postgrad year to improve his academics.
The student-athletes’ participation at UMaine will be dependent on their acceptance by the school and compliance with NCAA initial eligibility requirements.