North To Alaska
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad, Tall Blacks
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NZ Tall Black forward Jeremiah Trueman has transferred to Anchorage University of Alaska after two seasons with San Diego Christian College.
Alaska men’s basketball coach Rusty Osborne announced Trueman will join the Seawolves for the 2007-08 campaign with two more years of eligibility at UAA.
The 2.05m, 95kg Trueman was a starter his first two collegiate seasons at San Diego, where he averaged 6.8 points (64% FG) and 5.0 rebounds per game, helping the Hawks to back-to-back NAIA National Tournament appearances.
As a sophomore in 2006-07, he shot 65.3% from the field – second in the Golden State Athletic Conference – and averaged 7.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg as SDC won the GSAC title and reached a No. 7 national ranking.
“”We are very fortunate to get a player of Jeremiah’’s ability late in the recruiting process,”” said Osborne, who enters his fourth year at the helm next season. “
“He is a legitimate 6-9 and also very athletic. He can play inside and out offensively, plus he is a tremendous rebounder and defender. Jeremiah does all the things that help you win and he plays harder than anyone on the floor.””
In 2006, Trueman was a member of the New Zealand national squad that played a series against Australia. In January 2005, he was a member of the Junior Tall Blacks that played in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney, scoring 14 points in the tournament’ final.
“”Any time a player gets international experience, it boosts the level of his game and that has been the case with Jeremiah,”” Osborne added. “
“The combination of Carl Arts, McCade Olsen and Jeremiah gives us a very formidable front line as all three are serious regional and national honors candidates. In addition, they all bring different skills and strengths to the floor, which gives us a lot of versatility.””
Alaska Anchorage is an NCAA Division II programme that plays in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Seawolves are coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
