George Mason Men's Basketball Signs Five for 2009-10 Campaign

We are only two games in to this young season, but Mason has signed five players to letter of intent for the 2009-10 season. So, here they are:

Paris Bennett, a 6'6" forward and a three-star recruit by Scout.com and Rivals.com, is rated the No. 65 power forward by ESPN. He averaged more than ten points as a junior. He was also recruited by Kent State and Siena.

Bennett is extremely versatile and will provide nice presence down low, with Darryl Monroe and Chris Fleming graduating this season. He will compliment Morrison, Pearson and Birdsong very nicely in the paint.

Luke Hancock, a 6'5" forward at Hargrave Military Academy, averaged over 14 points seven rebounds a game as a senior at Hidden Valley HS. He can and will play multiple positions for Coach L and has a long range shot as well as nice inside presence.

Vertrail Vaughns, a 6'2" guard from Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas, averaged 16 points a game last season as a junior. Texashoops.com rates him the 25th best player in Texas and Rivals.com gave him three stars. He was recruited by Colorado and Wichita State, as well. Vaughns will be a great addition with JV and Dre leaving after this season. He is great defensively and will hopefully be a great perimeter player.

Rashad Whack, a 6'2" guard from Bishop McNamara in the WAAC averaged 17 points a game last season as a junior. Rivals.com rated him the best shooting guard recruited by the CAA and he was also sought after by VCU, JMU, Marist and St. Bonaventure. ESPN rated him the #59 shooting guard in the country.

Whack will be a future go-to-guy for Larranaga. Whack, along with DJ, Cam, and Ike, will set up nicely for our outside game. If he knocks down shots early, he may find himself starting earlier than he thinks.

Finally, Johnny Williams, a 6'8" forward from Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tenn., averaged a double-double in his junior season. He is the top-rated power forward recruited by the CAA and is the No. 36 power forward according to ESPN.

Williams chose Mason over 'Bama and Oklahoma State. Johnny will be a dominant player in the paint. He can rebound very well and will be a key to Mason's future success with Pearson, Morrison, Foster, and Birdsong playing inside.

Coach Larranaga should be pleased with next year's recruiting class and Mason should be a frontrunner in the Colonial once again. This team, in my mind, will be tough to beat, and I don't care what name is on the other team's jersey.