May 2, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (May 1, 2008) -- Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Scott Edgar has announced three additional basketball recruits who have signed national letters of intent to enroll at Southeast in the fall.

"I am proud to announce three new Redhawks," Edgar said. "As I was putting the finishing touches on my 2008 recruiting class, I was looking for young men with basketball ability who also had great character. I feel I have fulfilled what I was looking for in our three new recruits."

Bijon Jones is rated one of the top on-the-ball defenders in the nation. (Photo courtesy of Motlow State CC)

Bijon Jones is a 5-10 point guard from Motlow Community College where he led his team to a record of 28-5 and a national ranking. Jones was one of seven Motlow players to sign with a Division I program. He averaged seven points, four assists and two steals per game while shooting 47% from 3-point range.

Rated as one of the top on ball defenders in the country, Jones led Liberty High School in Jackson, Tenn., to the 2006 Tennessee Class AA state championship. "Bijon is a fearless player with a high basketball IQ" said his junior college coach, Bobby Steinburg. "I think he will be an impact player in the OVC."

Edgar said he loved the attitude and toughness of Jones. "He has been a winner everywhere he has played."

Jones was also recruited by Montana State, Eastern Illinois, Cal Poly and Louisiana-Monroe.

Israel Kirk played two seasons at Lipscomb before transferring to Motlow State CC. (Photo courtesy of Motlow State CC)

Another player at Motlow Community College will be joining Jones at Southeast. Israel Kirk, 6-7, 225, is a center and power forward who averaged five points and four rebounds per game for the talented Motlow team. "Israel is a very athletic post player who is ideally suited for a transition offense," Steinburg said.

Edgar said he was impressed with the athleticism and character displayed by Kirk who attended Lipscomb for two years before transferring to Motlow. "He will improve our athletic ability up front and will be able to defend both forwards and centers."

Kirk was also recruited by Troy State, Eastern Illinois, Southern University and Alabama A & M.

Joining the two junior college players will be 6-8 post player Stuart Pirri from Christian Life High School in Baton Rouge, La. Pirri, an all-state selection, led the state of Louisiana in 3-point field goal percentage shooting 48% from three with 139 made treys. He averaged 18 points, six rebounds and four assists per game.

"Southeast Missouri is absolutely getting a steal," said Christian Life High School coach Todd Foster. "Pirri is a gym rat who will just continue to get better every day."

Edgar said he was impressed by a player, 6-8, who can shoot the three so well and from so deep. "We will have him for four years and I think by his sophomore season he will be the best shooter in the OVC."

The Redhawks signed two players to letters of intent during the early signing period. Martino Brock, 6-5 guard from Nashville (Tenn.) Christian Academy, and Mark Caviness, 6-5 swing player from Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce, Fla.

"I think we have a very solid recruiting class of five individuals who will be playing for us next season," Edgar said.

NOTE: Pirri is pronounced ... Pear ee.