[Chron] Olajuwon connection helps Penders land pair

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4185649.html

Two Nigerian players commit to UH basketball

By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

When Tom Penders arrived at the University of Houston two years ago, he promised big changes in a program that had fallen on hard times.

On Wednesday, Penders took another big step in that direction, bagging two very big commitments — 6-11, 260-pound center Kenie Freeman and 6-8, 210-pound small forward Ejike Hart, both of whom will play this season at Hillsborough (Fla.) Community College.

For Hart and Freeman, Nigerians who were recruited by UAB, UNLV, Massachusetts, Florida State, Purdue, Iowa State, Central Florida and South Florida — a big plus for the Cougars was a certain 7-foot center who led the program to three Final Four appearances and went on to lead the Rockets to two NBA titles.

"We visited last weekend, and we really liked the coaches," Hart said. "I liked the program, and we met some good people while we were there. And there was the fact that Hakeem (Olajuwon) went through the program. That is something that tells that the program is all right."

Freeman and Hart, who have Liberian citizenship, played last season at Florida Community College in Jacksonville.

Hart, who averaged 12 points and nine rebounds last season, was an All-Mid-Florida Conference second-team selection, while Freeman was one of the conference's top shot blockers (1.2 per game).

"I'm more of an inside player," Freeman said. "I get all of my points inside. I'm a power player. I can block shots, grab rebounds and I can finish once I get the ball in the post."

Freeman, Hart and Seton Hall transfer Marcus Cousin (6-11), who will be eligible next season, should give the Cougars a formidable inside presence.






Cool to see Penders bring respectability back to UH basketball.