Lutz; 49ers Basketball Sign Junior College All-America C.J. Pigford
April 16, 2003
Halton Arena - Charlotte 49ers men's basketball coach Bobby Lutz, today, announced the signing of 6-7; 230 lb. forward C.J. Pigford (Wilmington, N.C./Lon Morris C.C.) to a national letter of intent to play basketball for the 49ers.
Pigford, a third team junior college all-America, starred at Lon Morris Community College in Jacksonville, Texas. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 61% from the floor. He was selected first team all-Region XIV.
"C.J. is an excellent addition to our team," said Lutz. "He combines toughness with very good offensive skills. He battles defensively in the post and understands positionning very well."
"(Assistant) Coach Rob (Moxley) sold me on Charlotte and the fact that I would be playing for one of the best coaches in America," said Pigford. "I can't wait to get there and help Charlotte battle for another Conference USA title."
A versatile talent, Pigford, who attended East Columbus High School, shot 37% from three-point range, this past season, and hit 70% of his free throws.
"C.J. is a multi-talented forward that really understands how to play," said junior college recruiting expert Mike Mitchell, of Midwest Scouting Service. "He is a perfect 4-man for Charlotte's system as he can handle and shoot the three, but he also plays very physical defense and rebounds the ball. C.J. can play at any level and had offers from every major conference."
Another junior college recruiting expert, Jerry Mullen, of Mullen's Roundball Review, offered, "Pigford has a strong body with the ability to score in and out. He's a nice athlete with versatility, but he's also strong enough to play in Conference USA."
The spring signing of Pigford and 6-8 junior college forward Dedric Spooner, coupled with the fall signings of ESPN.com's top post prospect, Martin Iti, and combo guard Marcus Bennett, gives Charlotte yet another top recruiting class. Three of Lutz' previous four recruiting classes have been ranked in the nation's top 20. Add junior guard Brendan Plavich, a transfer from Vanderbilt who led the SEC in three-point shooting and sat out this past season, and the 49ers welcome perhaps their most complete and prepared set of newcomers for 2003-04.
"With these two additions to our team," Lutz said, "we are ready, physically, to compete for the top of Conference USA, again. We have a good core of returning players along with a recruiting class that meets our needs."
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