Idaho’s Verlin announces two signees
Idaho has added a junior college forward and high school guard from the Seattle area who, according to Don Verlin, is one of the biggest sleepers on the West Coast. Get all the details below.
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From Idaho media relations:
MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho men’s basketball coach Don Verlin announced the signing of two new Vandals to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday during the early signing period.
Idaho basketball added forward Ayodele “Ayo” Ojo of Jonesboro, Ark. (State Fair (Mo.) CC), and guard Perrion Callandret of Bothell, Wash. (Bothell HS). Ojo will join Idaho as a junior in 2013-14, while Callandret will be a freshman.
Ojo is a 6-7, 225-pound forward in his sophomore season at Missouri’s State Fair Junior College. As a freshman last year, he averaged 6.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the floor. He led SFCC with 2.3 offensive boards per game last season, as well.
He has helped lead SFCC to a 3-2 record early in the 2012-13 season.
“Ayo brings a physical and athletic presence that we need on our front line,” Verlin said. “He is big and physical on the block and yet has the ability to step out and shoot the outside shot. His athleticism will make him a force on the boards for the Vandals, as well. I can’t wait to get Ayo in a Vandal uniform next year.”
In high school, Ojo was a Third-Team Arkansas All-State selection by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette in 2010-11 as a senior after averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds for Jonesboro High School. He was also voted an Arkansas 6A All-State pick by the Arkansas Activities Association. He was a McDonald’s All-America nominee and was voted Defensive Player of the Year for his team.
Callandret is a scoring guard who has Bothell High School among the favorites, both in the 4A KingCo league and in the Washington 4A state classification, going into his senior season this year. The 6-2, 180-pound guard was a First-Team All-KingCo pick last year after leading BHS to a 17-11 overall record and 9-7 league tally.
“Perrion is one of the biggest sleepers on the west coast in the 2013 class and will be a great Vandal that the fans will love watching,” Verlin said.
He averaged 17 points for the Cougars last season after transferring from O’Dea High School and posted double-figure scoring totals in all 28 games for Bothell.
“Perrion is a very athletic, ‘do it all’ guard with great instincts for the game,” Verlin said. “He’s a tremendous person with a great personality and I look forward to not only coaching him but just having him in the locker room and walking the halls at Idaho.”