fullerton's harmon eligible

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SoCalHoops Recruiting & College News

Fullerton's Ike Harmon To Return;
Babacar, Pearson & Putnam--(Aug. 30, 2000)

Ike Harmon, a 6-7 forward at Cal State Fullerton who many believe could be the best returning player in the Big West Conference this season, finished his coursework for his undergraduate degree on August 18 and was, as of Monday (at least officially) awaiting clearance to begin his fourth season of play. Tonight we learned that Harmon has been officially given his clearance to play with the team, and will be in a Titan uniform this season.

Harmon played last year, in what was his academic senior season, but because he was academically ineligible as a freshman, did not play that season, and thus has only played three seasons thus far. However, under NCAA rules, if a player completes a degree in four years at a school after being ineligible in the freshman year, he can earn the right to play one more season (i.e., a total of four seasons). Harmon will also have to take at least 15 hours of post-grad classes during the season in order to remain eligible to play.

Harmon will also be joined by Babacar Camara (6'-11" So. C) a 220-pound center from Africa (Senegal to be exact) who is reportedly a huge prospect. Kudos should also go to Jason Levy and Rob Orrellana, two of the most persistent and toughest recruiters in the business, who find guys in the most out of the way places. . . like Senegal. We haven't seen Babacar, but he's reportedly a huge player, very tough, and skilled, and he will make a huge impact for Fullerton.

On the recruiting front, Fullerton is pushing for a number of recruits including some guards, but mostly wings right now. Cody Pearson (6'-4" Sr. SG/SF) from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Trey Putnam (6'-7" Sr. SF) from Santa Barbara are two of the highest priority guys for Fullerton right now, and home visits are in the process of being set up for both players.

Pearson was reportedly offered earlier this spring by Utah and Long Beach State, but we haven't heard much about those offers lately, and it may be that they are off the table, particularly Utah with the recent commitment from Eric Osmundsen. Cody has been frequenting the Fullerton gym on "open gym" nights, and has gone up against most of the current Fullerton players and several others who are trying to walk-on to the team next season. We hear that Pearson really wants to stay local, rather than attend a school outside the region, and he's being pursued by Fullerton and Cal State Northridge, which might have the slight edge given the fact that Pearson's family lives in Northridge.

One last tidbit of Fullerton triviana: Also spotted hanging around the Titan gym lately is none other than Tyson Chandler (7'-0" Sr. C) from Compton Dominguez. No, we don't think he's giving serious consideration to playing at Fullerton next year (he'll undoubtedly be going to the draft if he goes anywhere), but he is best friends with Keith Brooks (6'-6" Fr. PF) who recently signed with Fullerton and who has been playing there and working out lately with fellow signee Joe Travis (6'-8" Fr. PF).