April 28, 2006
By Mark Lazerus / Post-Tribune staff writer
Valparaiso wrapped up the late-signing period Thursday, signing Finnish forward Samuel Haanpaa to a national letter of intent.
Haanpaa, a 6-8 perimeter shooter with what Crusaders coach Homer Drew called “NBA range,” is the third and likely final signing Valparaiso will make this spring.
“That’s our 12th scholarship, and we’d like to save one in case you get a transfer or if something happens and you discover some kid in some gym,” Drew said. “Really, we’re done unless something unusual happens.”
All three recruits are foreign players who have honed their skills in the United States.
First was 7-1 center Calum MacLeod, a New Zealander who played two seasons at Gonzaga before playing in a Colorado junior college.
Two weeks ago, Valparaiso signed Paul Guede, a 6-5 British swingman who played three seasons and won two state championships at Grace Christian in Sanford, N.C.
Now comes Haanpaa, who comes from a turmoil-riddled prep school in San Antonio, Cornerstone Christian. The Warriors’ official record this past season is 0-18, as they were forced to forfeit 13 victories because of ineligible players.
The Texas Association of Private and Public Schools (TAPPS) declared ineligible 11 players on the Cornerstone Christian team “due to inducement involving room and board.” The school of about 200 was allegedly recruiting players.
Neither Haanpaa nor Cornerstone Christian coach Walter Webb could be reached Thursday night.
Drew was excited about bringing Haanpaa on board, deeming him an exceptional outside shooter and an unselfish player. While his forte is the outside game, Drew termed him a three or a four, who can post up and play down low when he needs to.
Drew learned about Haanpaa through Valparaiso sophomore Shawn Huff, a fellow Finn who played with Haanpaa on the Finnish national team.
“We’re very pleased,” Drew said. “These three are very good players and they’re all good people and they all come from winning programs.”
Drew said both Oregon and Colorado State were also pursuing Haanpaa. Like with MacLeod and Guede, the fact that Valparaiso graduates its starting five was appealing to Haanpaa.
“Of the six seniors we lose, that’s 77 percent of our points, 67 percent of our rebounds and 65 percent of our assists,” Drew said. “We lose a great deal. And the attraction, I think, for these three is they’re going to have a chance to make an immediate contribution. All three will see the floor. How much, of course, will depend on how they fit in with the system and how well they do.”
Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com
Valpo signs fourth recruit--The NWI Times
Women’s Basketball Adds Four to 2006-07 Recruiting Class--OUGrizzlies.com
Samuel Haanpaa Signs With Crusaders--www.valpo.edu
Leathernecks Continue to Add Size with Addition of Eastern Arizona’s Owens-Murrey--Western Illinois Athletics
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