The Central Missouri Mules basketball team announced the addition of eight student-athletes that will join the squad in 2009-10. Head coach Kim Anderson said, "We lost some quality student-athletes from last year’s Final Four squad…we are hopeful that this group of new players will fit together with our returning players and enable us to have another successful season."
UCM finished the 2008-09 season 30-5, winning the South Central Region title, and going to the NCAA-II Final Four for the second time in three seasons. The Mules bring in players from California to Boston. Plus, two Missouri products, including one player from Drury University in Springfield.
Dusty Allen – Forward 6-5 * 220 * Sophomore Springfield, Mo. * Drury University
Attended Drury University as a true freshman last season, playing for head coach Steve Hesser… Averaged 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while hitting 47 percent from the field.
Bryce Brunz – Guard 6-0 * 175 * Junior Mankato, Minn. * Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Played for head coach Doug Wagemester at Kirkwood last season, earning first-team NJCAA-II honors… He helped the squad to an appearance in the national championship game last season, grabbing NJCAA All-Tournament team.
Rico Combs – Forward 6-7 * 210 * Junior Milwaukee, Wisc. * Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon, Ill.) Helped head coach Russ Damhoff’s squad to a 20-10 overall record at Sauk Valley as a sophomore… Earned first-team All-Arrowhead Conference honors, as well as Region IV second-team accolades… He averaged 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while hitting 54 percent from the field.
Nate Fuqua – Guard 6-3 * 190 * Junior Chicago, Ill. * Triton Community College (Chicago, Ill.) Led Triton to a 29-4 overall record, earning second-team NJCAA-II All-American honors for averaging 12.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest to grab All-Region IV accolades and helped his squad to a 10-0 conference title mark.
Matt Killen - Center 6-10 * 225 * Sophomore Leawood, Kan. * Boston UniversityHe saw action in four games as a true freshman before redshirting in 2008-09… Attended Blue Valley High School in Leawood, Kan, averaging 11 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks a game as a senior, earning all-conference and Mid-Kansas All-Star accolades.
Chris James – Guard 6-2 * 215 * Junior Las Vegas, Nev. * Cosumnes River College (Sacramento, Calif.)
A first-team all-conference and All-California J.C. honorable mention pick. He also hit 45 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free throw line as a sophomore.
Manny Richardson – Forward 6-7 * 210 * Junior Ann Arbor, Mich. * Allen County Community College (Iola, Kan.)Played one season at Allen County for head coach Mike Hayes… Averaged 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest, while hitting 57 percent from the floor.
Cullen Rosine – Forward 6-6 * 200 * Freshman Knob Noster, Mo. * Knob Noster High SchoolPlayed for head coach Mark Anderson at Knob Noster, helping them to a 23-6 overall record. Advanced to the Missouri Class 3A quarterfinals as a senior… Averaged 17.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while hitting 47 percent from the field and 72 percent from the line.
