May 27, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University basketball team picked up its fourth commitment of the 2005-06 recruiting season on Friday as the Bulldogs received a national letter-of-intent from 6-8 forward Savoy Fraine out of Granada Hills, Calif., announced Head Coach Jimmy Tillette.

Fraine, a Second-Team All-Los Angeles performer in 2005, averaged 18.2 points per game under Head Coach Sean Collyer at Granada Hills High School and tacked on 12.4 rebounds per contest. A versatile athlete, Fraine also averaged 2.3 assists per game and finished the season ranked third in California in blocks per game (6.0).

"We feel extremely fortunate to sign a player of Savoy's ability this late in the recruiting period," said Tillette. "He is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, and his length and athleticism will be welcome additions within our defensive system. Offensively, Savoy has the ability to knock down threes and score the ball effectively around the goal."

Fraine is a native of Granada Hills, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles, where he earned both first-team all-league honors and second-team all-area accolades. In 2005, he led GHHS to the championship game of the city tournament and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Fraine is the fourth player that Samford signed during the 2005-06 recruiting period. Next season, he will join 6-4 guard Trey Montgomery, 6-7 guard Jim Griffin and 6-6 forward Bryan Friday as members of the Bulldogs' true freshman class.

Montgomery, Griffin, Friday and Fraine will join a Samford University basketball team that has three returning starters on its 2005-06 roster and boasts eight returning lettermen, as well as the services of talented redshirt freshman Jason Black.

2005-06 Samford Basketball List of Signees

Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School)
Trey Montgomery, G, 6-4, 170, Destrehan, La. (Destrehan HS)
Jim Griffin, G, 6-7, 190, Chicago, Ill. (Marist HS)
Bryan Friday, F, 6-6, 210, Grapevine, Texas (Colleyville Heritage HS)
Savoy Fraine, F, 6-8, 190, Granada Hills, Calif. (Granada Hills HS)