Redhawks add juco forward

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team added a sixth recruit for the 2008-09 season.

The Southeast Missourian has confirmed that forward LaMont Russell, who played the past two seasons at Hesston (Kan.) College, recently signed to play for the Redhawks. The university has not yet made an official announcement.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Russell was a third-team National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American this year after averaging 17.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He shot 59.5 percent from the field.

Russell, a native of Wichita, Kan., helped lead the Larks to a 23-9 record this year.

Southeast's other incoming recruits for next season include three more junior college transfers and two high school products.

Point guard Bijon Jones and center/forward Israel Kirk are both from Motlow (Tenn.) Community College, forward Mark Caviness is from Indian River (Fla.) Community College, wing Martino Brock is from Nashville (Tenn.) Christian Advancement Academy and center Stuart Pirri is from Christian Life High School in Baton Rouge, La.

The eligibility of Brock — by far Southeast's most touted signee who was recruited by some major conference programs — continues to remain in question.

The NCAA in May included Nashville Christian Advancement Academy among 51 schools from which it will not recognize diplomas.

Brock currently is undergoing an academic review by the NCAA as it seeks to determine his eligibility.