Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball coach Gary Garner can finally talk about his program's first recruit of the spring signing period.

The national letter of intent from Ryan "Fuzzy" Belcher arrived at Southeast on Monday. Belcher signed with the Indians last week and mailed the letter of intent from his home town of Mexico, Mo., but nothing was official until the paperwork got to Garner.

Belcher, a 6-foot-2 guard from Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis, averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists per game while shooting 47% from the field as a sophomore this past season.

Belcher, who holds the school's single-season and career steals records, was all-conference and all-region as well as a junior college All-America nominee.

"We really like him," Garner said. "He can play either guard position. He's quick, he can penetrate, he can shoot the ball and he plays great defense. Defense is an area we were lacking in last season, and we're looking forward to adding his quickness and defensive ability."

Belcher was also recruited by, among other schools, Southwest Missouri, California-Santa Barbara and Arkansas State.

Garner said the Indians will probably sign two more players to go along with Belcher and two players who signed in the fall.

-- Marty Mishow