April 17, 2008

By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki men's basketball program bolstered its backcourt on Thursday, the second day of the spring signing period, as Chicago public league guard Ryan Hare signed a letter of intent to play for Southern Illinois.

Hare is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound wing player from Marshall High School. He averaged 18.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5.0 apg and 4.0 spg last season and led his team to the Class 3A state championship. Hare was named first-team all-state by the Associated Press.

"He's a hard-working kid, who plays the game like we like to coach it," Lowery said. "He's going to be a fan favorite just based on how hard he plays. He plays with great emotion and the way our fans expect our really great players to play."

Lowery said Hare's skills will help fill a void on the Saluki roster.

"He's a guy who can slash to the rim, rebound and defend," Lowery said. "He's a very active player. He'll attack the rim on one end, then sprint back and take a charge on the other."

Hare is also a winner. A four-year varsity player, he helped his team to third place finishes in the state tournament in 2006 and 2007 before claiming the title in 2008.

"He's an Illinois kid," noted Lowery, and one of five in-state players on the current roster. "We want to make sure we protect and not let the best players get out of Illinois."

The Salukis will have at least five new players on next year's team, and probably more. In addition to Hare, the Salukis signed three players last fall -- guards Kevin Dillard and Torres Roundtree, and forward Anthony Booker. Redshirt freshman center Nick Evans will also make his Saluki debut next season. SIU still has two scholarships available.