Men's basketball signs Coimbra, completes 2010 recruiting class; departure likely
The CMU men's basketball team's 2010 recruiting class is complete.
Andre Coimbra, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, has signed with Central Michigan. He is the second junior college player to sign with the Chippewas in as many days, joining Paris Paramore from Triton College (Ill.)
CMU assistant coach Kohne said he recruited Coimbra since November, when head coach Ernie Zeigler decided to find a post player to replace departing senior Chris Kellermann.
"Andre's going to be a great addition for us," Kohne said. "He's an older, more mature kid who has two years at one of the most respected junior colleges in the country. He brings something we need to the table — he's a long, strong, defensive rebounder."
Coimbra, a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native, is the seventh and final piece of what many consider the Chippewas' largest and top-ranked recruiting class in program history.
"This is the largest recruiting class I think I've been associated with," Kohne said. "If this produces a couple of all-conference players and conference player of the years, then I think the hype is justified. But right now it's just prediction and hype and potential."
Coimbra averaged seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game last season for NEO and coach Dustin Grover. He chose CMU over Missouri-Kansas City.
CMU has not announced the departure of any players, but Coimbra's scholarship was originally unavailable based on the team's six available scholarships. The openings came from four departing seniors, freshman Tyler Brown's departure early last season and one left over from last season's abrupt underclassmen departures.
Kohne said that information will be released after exam week. Zeigler did not immediately return phone calls.
"We're not commenting on that as a staff right now," Kohne said. "We signed seven players, and that's it."
CMU's incoming class
- F Andre Coimbra, 6-foot-9, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Jr.
- F Jevon Harden, 6-foot-8, Loyola High School, Detroit, Fr.
- G Derek Jackson, 6-foot, Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Fr.
- G Paris Paramore, 6-foot, Triton College (Ill.), Jr.
- C Nate VanArendonk, Grand Haven High School, Fr.
- F Colin Voss, East Grand Rapids High School, Fr.
- SG Trey Zeigler, Mount Pleasant High School, Fr.
- G Finis Craddock, 12.8 minutes, 2.2 points
- C Will McClure, 20.1 minutes, 3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 39 blocks
- G Amir Rashid, 21.6 minutes, 5.1 points
- F Zach Saylor. 4.3 minutes, 0.6 points
- C Marko Spica, 16.6 minutes, 7.3 points, 3 rebounds
- F Jalin Thomas, 26 minutes, 7.4 points, 5 rebounds
- G Antonio Weary, 23.4 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.6 rebounds
