June 23, 2004

Rochelle Native, Prep All-American Cager Ben Rand Transfers To Northern Illinois

DEKALB, IL – Ben Rand, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound shooting guard from Rochelle High School in Rochelle, IL, has announced that he will transfer to Northern Illinois University to play for Rob Judson’s men’s basketball program after spending one season at the University of Iowa.

“We recruited Ben heavily while he was in high school and we are pleased with his choice to attend Northern Illinois this time around,” Judson said. “Ben comes from a tremendous family and is a player that people in and around Rochelle and DeKalb are familiar with. Our communities and fans will enjoy seeing Ben Rand in a Northern Illinois uniform for years to come.”

Rand played in 19 games for the Hawkeyes last season, averaging 0.8 points in 5.2 minutes of play. The 6-foot-6 guard also averaged 0.8 rebounds and shot 43 percent from the floor (6-of-14). One of those 19 contests came on Dec. 6 against the Huskies in the championship game of the Iowa Hawkeye-Gazette Classic. Rand played four minutes in that 65-57 Iowa win and handed out one assist.

Prior to his one season in Iowa City, IA, Rand earned honorable mention All-America accolades as a prep senior, averaging 23.4 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. A first team all-state selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, Rand was also a second team all-state pick by the Associated Press in 2002-03. A three-time Dixon Telegraph Player of the Year honoree, Rand finished his high school career with school records for points (2,144) and rebounds (829). A three-time team MVP, Rand led the Hubs to a 61-22 overall record in his final three seasons, averaging 25.0 points and 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore and 23.1 points and 8.5 rebounds as a junior. In 2001-02, Rand led Rochelle to a 26-6 overall mark and a berth in the sectional championship game.

Rand will sit out the 2004-05 season as a redshirt because of National Collegiate Athletics Association transfer rules. He will have three years of eligibility remaining for Northern Illinois beginning in 2005-06.

Rand’s addition becomes possible with the transfer of 6-foot-8 power forward Rome Sanders (Chicago, IL/Curie) to Florida A&M University.

Transactions:
· Northern Illinois University announces the signing of guard Ben Rand, a transfer from the University of Iowa.