April 30, 2007
Coach Herb Sendek and the Arizona State men's basketball staff have announced the signing of local prep standout Ty Abbott from Desert Vista High School in Phoenix. Abbott averaged 17.3 points, five boards and three assists this past season as he led Desert Vista to a 29-2 mark and a state semifinal appearance, as he scored 27 in his final contest.
The 6-4 guard initially signed with New Mexico in the fall of 2006, but was granted a release when then-head coach Ritchie McKay was dismissed this past March. He also averaged 17 points and nine boards in his junior season (2005-2006) as Desert Vista went 26-7.
"Ty is an outstanding young man, an excellent student and a very talented basketball player," says coach Herb Sendek. "We are very fortunate and thrilled to add someone of his ability this spring to an already nationally ranked recruiting class. Like the other members of the 2007 class, Ty fits perfectly with how we want to play and how we want our program represented. I believe the entire Sun Devil Community will enjoy embracing him as he helps lead us to be among the best basketball programs in the Pac-10 and the nation."
Scout.com had ASU's class ranked as the 15th-best in the nation prior to the Abbott signing.
The fall signing class has James Harden, who Rivals.com ranks as the 11th-best player in the country as he earned 2007 McDonald's All-American honors; 6-6 shooter Rihards Kuksiks, who averaged 29 points for Florida Air Academy; 6-2 point guard Jamelle McMillan from the talent-rich Seattle area who is ranked as the top point guard on the west coast by Rivals.com and led his team to three state titles; and 6-8 swingman Kraidon Woods, who signed originally with Villanova in the fall of 2005 but elected to play this past year at The Hill School, located in Pottstown, Pa.
ASU also signed 2005 McDonald's All-American Eric Boateng in the spring of 2006 after he transferred from Duke, as the 6-10 center sat the 2006-2007 season and will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning next season.
ASU had three freshmen play 87.3 minutes per game last year and the trio combined for 69 starts, while honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection Jeff Pendergraph led the team in scoring (12.1) and rebounding (9.1). The Sun Devils are scheduled to return their top four scorers and the sixth-leading scorer, freshman point guard Derek Glasser, started in 21 games and averaged 32.2 minutes in Pac-10 contests. ASU is scheduled to return seven lettermen and five players who started more than half the games played last year.