Redhawks add Bradley transfer to recruiting class

Although he won't be eligible to play next season, the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team has added some serious size to its program.

Coach Gary Garner announced Tuesday that 6-foot-9, 250-pound Michael Rembert, a transfer from Bradley, will enroll at Southeast.

Under NCAA transfer rules, Rembert will have to sit out next season, although he will be able to practice with the team. He will have two seasons of eligibility, beginning in 2006-2007.

"I'm really excited about having him join our program," Garner said. "He's a big player who can put the ball on the floor, shoot the three or post up strong inside. With his size, ability and work ethic, he has the potential to really be a good player for us."

Rembert played in 52 games in two seasons at Bradley, making six starts and averaging just under 10 minutes per contest. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds during his career with the Braves.

As a freshman, Rembert started five games, and averaged 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds while blocking 14 shots. He shot 47.1 percent from the field and made seven of 19 3-point attempts (36.8 percent).

Rembert was originally ticketed for major playing time last season, but he wound up behind 7-foot freshman Patrick O'Bryant at center and Marcellus Sommerville at power forward.

O'Bryant became only the second freshman to lead the Missouri Valley Conference in blocked shots, as he made the MVC all-newcomer team, while Sommerville earned first-team all-MVC honors for the second straight season and was widely regarded as the league's top NBA prospect.

Rembert ended up playing 9.8 minutes per game. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. In his only start of the season, he had 12 points and five rebounds against Western Kentucky.

"I think he got in a situation where he was behind two very talented players and there just wasn't enough playing time," Garner said. "We're very anxious to get him in our program."

A native of Chicago, where he attended St. Rita High School, Rembert was twice named honorable mention all-state by the Chicago Sun-Times. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in his senior season.

Rembert's addition to the program might very well round out Southeast's recruiting for this year, although there is still a chance one more player could be signed.

Southeast previously signed seven players for next season, including five junior college transfers.

Junior college players headed to Southeast are 6-8 center Andrais Thornton from SMS-West Plains Community College, 6-7 center Tyrell White from Wayne County (Mich.) Community College 6-6 forward John Chappell from Highland (Ill.) Community College, 6-4 guard/forward David Johnson from Meramec Community College in St. Louis; and 6-4 guard/forward Eric Burtin from Iowa Central Community College.

Southeast's two high school signees are 6-4 guard Johnny Hill from Vashon High School in St. Louis and 6-4 guard Eric Jones from Webster Groves High School in St. Louis. Hill has not yet qualified academically.