Southeast announces signing of three basketball recruits

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball program announced with a news release Thursday the signing of three players for next year's team.

The Redhawks added point guard Bijon Jones, center/power forward Israel Kirk and forward Stuart Pirre.

Jones, a 5-foot-10 transfer from Motlow Community College, averaged seven points, four assists and two steals per game. He also shot 47 percent on 3-pointers. He helped lead Liberty High School in Jackson, Tenn., to the 2006 Tennessee Class AA state title.

"Bijon is a fearless player with a high basketball IQ," his junior college coach, Bobby Steinburg, said in the release. "I think he will be an impact player in the OVC."

Kirk, a 6-7 center/power forward, also played at Motlow in Lynchburg, Tenn. He averaged five points and four rebounds per game.

"Israel is a very athletic post player who is ideally suited for a transition offense," Steinburg said.

Pirre, a 6-8 post player, was an all-state selection at Christian Life High School in Baton Rouge, La. He led the state in 3-point field goal percentage, hitting 48 percent, and finishing with 139 made 3-pointers. He averaged 18 points, six rebounds and four assists per game.

"Southeast Missouri is absolutely getting a steal," Christian Life coach Todd Foster said in the release. "Pirre is a gym rat who will continue to get better every day."

Southeast coach Scott Edgar set a lofty goal for Pirre.

"We will have him for four years, and I think by his sophomore season he will be the best shooter in the OVC," Edgar said in the release.

Jones, Kirk and Pirre join 6-5 Martino Brock and 6-5 Mark Caviness, who both signed during the early signing period.