David Joseph Commits to BG Men's Basketball

Wanna thank my parents, coaches & close friends on helping me make this decision, I honestly think #BG is the best fit for me overall.
— IG: PEP57AVE (@PEP57AVE) April 24, 2014

The Jans Era has its first verbal commit, today, based on the internet.

His name is David Joseph, a JUCO G from Howard College, which is in Big Spring, TX.  He is listed as a PG on verbalcommits.com.  He appears to be an excellent player...he scored 13 PPG on 49% shooting and added 6.3 assists per game.  That assist total is #12 in the country for Junior Colleges, Division I.  Howard had 24 wins last year.

According to this story, Joesph grew up in New York and moved to Florida when he was in HS.  He attended Zion Lutheran Christian, which is near Boca.  It is a small school (he played in Florida's smallest classification) but he was putting up some sick numbers.  As a Junior, he was plugging at 28.6 PPG and 10.6 Assists per game.  

He is 6'0" tall and comes to BG as a junior.

For the team, a couple of upshots.

First, it was no secret that BG had struggles at guard last year and at PG.  Part of that was Orr and Denny being injured.  Part of it that was just a lack of consistent productivity from the guys we did have.  I actually think it is possible that Jehvon Clarke is better suited to be a 2 as opposed to a 1.  If Joseph can run the point, I think Jehvon can produce off the edges and get to the basket, which is something he can excel at if he has the space to operate.

I know some people are going to be disappointed that he is a transfer.  A bunch of MAC teams are getting transfers, though, and some (like UT) have built their program around them.  If Joseph solidifies BG on the point, it could make a difference remember, remembering that while we are all frustrated at the state of the program, this was not a 4-28 team.

In fact, it would not surprise me to see at least one and maybe both of the remaining scholarships go to D1 transfers.  There are a ton out there.  It is late, and if you are looking at guys who are HS players but projects, they aren't going to help you for a year anyway.

Anyway, welcome to the Falcons, David.

Update:  About 4 pm Joseph tweeted that he had signed his LOI.

Update II:  BGSU has a release up about the signing now...here are some details about prep school and other play.

At Nia Prep in 2010-11, Joseph averaged 13.3 points, 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, as his team went 26-8 overall on the year and made an appearance at the National Prep Championship in Connecticut. For his strong season, Joseph represented the New Jersey Boys Team in the 2011 JCCS Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Classic that season.

Joseph signed with Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah out of Nia Prep where he redshirted his freshman year in 2011-12 before transferring to Howard College.

Also, we should apparently be calling him "Pepe."

So, welcome to the Falcons, Pepe.