Indians add and subtract players

There was bad news and good news for Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program Friday.

First, the bad news. Junior-college recruit Dainmon Gonner, who averaged 18 points and seven rebounds at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College last year, has failed to meet NCAA eligibility requirements and will not play for the Indians during the 2002-2003 season.

Now, the good news. Mike Nelke, who started 13 games at point guard last season for NCAA Tournament qualifier Valparaiso, told the Southeast Missourian that he is transferring to Southeast. He will have to sit out this season under NCAA transfer rules, although he will be able to practice with the team, and then have two years of eligibility remaining.

Southeast coach Gary Garner, while disappointed that Gonner won't play for the Indians this season, said he's hopeful the 6-foot-6 forward will eventually wind up in Cape Girardeau.

"A lot can change in the next year, but he told us he's still planning to come here," Garner said. "For this year, the other inside players will just have to pick up the slack."

Gonner was one of four recruits for next season. The other three -- Reggie Golson, a 6-7 forward who was Gonner's teammate at Hutchinson CC; Brandon Griffin, a 6-8 center from Southwest Mississippi Community College; and 6-7 forward Cole Grapperhaus from Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill. -- have met NCAA eligibility requirements and will be on hand for the start of classes on Aug. 19.

Nelke says he's coming

While Garner is prohibited by NCAA regulations from commenting on Nelke until he begins classes, Nelke said he has enrolled at Southeast and is looking forward to joining the Indians.

"I'm really excited to be a part of the program," he said.

A 6-foot native of St. Louis, Nelke has been a key player for Valparaiso the past two years, helping the Crusaders win 49 games. He averaged 3.4 points per game last season and was second on the team in assists with 87 -- compared to just 32 turnovers -- as Valparaiso went 25-8 and lost to Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a freshman, Nelke had Valparaiso's best three-point shooting percentage, hitting 25 of 53 for 47.2 percent.

NELKE, WHO SAW ACTION IN ALL 33 GAMES FOR THE CRUSADERS LAST SEASON AND AVERAGED NEARLY 18 MINUTES A CONTEST, WOULD NOT ELABORATE ON WHY HE DECIDED TO TRANSFER.

"I HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE AT VALPARAISO, BUT I FELT I NEEDED A CHANGE," HE SAID.

NELKE, WHO WAS RECRUITED BY SOUTHEAST OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, SAID HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING THE INDIANS RETURN TO THE KIND OF SUCCESS THEY HAD PRIOR TO LAST SEASON.

"I KNOW THEY STRUGGLED LAST YEAR, BUT I THINK THEY'VE GOT A REAL GOOD PROGRAM GOING," HE SAID. "I REMEMBER WHEN THEY PLAYED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT (IN THE 1999-2000 SEASON) AND I'M HOPING TO HELP GET THEM BACK THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

"IT'S GOING TO BE HARD SITTING OUT A YEAR, BUT I'LL BE ABLE TO PRACTICE AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE GOOD FOR ME IN THE LONG RUN."