FAIRBANKS, AK- Alaska men's basketball head coach Clemon Johnson announced the signings of Emmanuel Jenkins of Tacoma, Wash. and Evan Matteson of Lynnwood, Wash. on Tuesday. Jenkins will enroll at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a junior this fall, and will have two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, while Matteson comes in as a freshman, with a full four years of eligibility for the Nanooks.
Jenkins, a 6'0' guard, joins the Nanooks after playing for Tacoma Community College in Washington. Jenkins was a standout player for the Titans, leading the 34-team Northwest Athletic Association of Community College (NWAACC) in scoring by ringing up a 25.3 points per game average. He also averaged 5.6 assists per game and 5.0 rebounds per game in claiming second team all-region honors at Tacoma.
'All starting positions are going to be open, but right now, I think the point guard position is Emmanuel's to lose,' Johnson said of his new signing. 'Emmanuel is not cat quick, but cheetah quick. He is Ferrari quick. He passes the ball well and he also scores from various positions: using his feet and speed to get to the basket as well as three-point range jump shots. On the defensive end, he is stellar. He is an all-around player, and the only thing I can see keeping him out of the NBA is his height.'
Prior to joining the Titans, Jenkins spent the 2006-07 season at Division I Portland State University, appearing in all 32 of the team games in his freshman year, including one start. He contributed 2.8 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 rebounds per game in helping the Vikings to a 19-win season.
'Emmanuel is a true point guard, and will bring experience and leadership to that position.' Johnson said. 'When he came up on his visit, I talked to him about sliding over to the two since he shot the ball so well, but he told me he had spent years perfecting his skills at the point guard position.'
A 2006 graduate of Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, Jenkins played two years of basketball, averaging 19.2 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in his senior seasons with the Cardinals. He captained the team to a 21-6 overall record in the 2005-06 season, and was named to the All-Seamount League first team. A McDonalds All-American Nominee, Jenkins took home MVP honors in the All-State game, contributing 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to the Seamount 3A team.
The 6'10' Matteson, meanwhile, spent the last four seasons playing center for Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, helping the Mavericks to a 23-6 record and a berth at the state tournament. The brother of current Nanook Colin Matteson, he received team defensive MVP honors and was named to the All-Western Conference South Division Honorable Mention team in his senior season. Matteson also set a conference record with 127 blocked shots in his 2007-08 season.
'Evan is our future: he is the building block that I am looking for,' Johnson said. 'He is going to lead the 2008-09 freshman class. He is still raw, but I do see him getting significant minutes for us this year, and he will certainly have an opportunity to fight for a starting position. The biggest thing for Evan this year is I want the guys in front of him to teach him how to play collegiate basketball.'
While attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Jenkins will major in communications, but plans to pursue a career in professional basketball as well. Matteson plans to major in psychology, with a minor in business.
Alaska Nanooks Add New Players
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