stokes signs

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

It's Official: MU Receives
Stokes' LOI--(Nov. 17, 1999)

Notwithstanding the fact that Wesley Stokes (5'-10" Sr. PG) from Long Beach Poly signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Missouri next year last Friday, apparently the school only just received the LOI today. Of course they issued an immediate press release on the subject. Here it is:

Wesley Stokes Signs Letter of Intent to Attend Missouri

Long Beach Guard Adds to Outstanding Recruiting Class for Quin Snyder

Nov. 17, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - Long Beach, Calif. guard WESLEY STOKES has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Missouri, MU Head Basketball Coach Quin Snyder announced today.

Stokes, a 5-foot-10 point guard out of Long Beach Poly, is considered the top-rated point guard prospect in the West, and is a top-50 national recruit. Stokes averaged 16 points, eight assists and four steals per game last year as a junior, and garnered much attention after some superb play in various summer all-star camps.

“Wesley is really an exciting player, and I’m thrilled he wants to be a part of the Missouri program,” said Snyder. He is an extremely intelligent person and is one of those players with a great feel for the game. Wesley is the type of player who makes others better, and we’re anticipating that he’ll be a great leader for us for years to come,” he said.

Stokes selected Missouri over Southern California, San Diego State, Texas and Massachusetts. His high school coach is Ron Palmer, who directed Long Beach Poly to a 24-7 record last season, and the quarterfinals of the Southern California Regionals. They are a pre-season favorite to win the Southern Section Division I-AA championship, which would be their second in the past four years.

Stokes is the third blue-chipper to sign with Snyder during the early period, as he joins Detroit natives Rickey Paulding and Arthur Johnson in what is quickly becoming one of the nation’s top recruiting classes.

The early signing period for men’s basketball concludes today, with the late period continuing from April 5 through May 15, 2000.