May 11, 2007
DeKalb, Ill. - New Northern Illinois men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton announced on Friday that he has signed forwards Najul Ervin (Memphis, Tenn.) and Sean Smith (Gary, Ind.) to National Letters of Intent to play for the Huskies beginning in 2007-08.
Ervin, a 6-7, 211-pounder out of Kankakee Community College (Ill.) is from Patton's home state of Tennessee. The Memphis native averaged 4.8 points and grabbed 5.8 rebounds-per-game for the Cavaliers as a freshman and will have three years of eligibility with the Huskies.
As a prep for Mitchell High School, Ervin helped the Tigers to almost 90 victories in three seasons, including a runner-up finish in the state championships as a senior. A two-time all-conference selection, Ervin was named to the Academic Honor Roll from 2004-06.
"Najul is a guy who is very skilled and very athletic," Patton said. "He puts the ball on the floor and gets to the basket. Once he gets around the basket, he knows how to finish."
Smith, who stands 6-6, 215 pounds, comes to NIU via Vincennes Junior College in Vincennes, Ind. The Gary, Indiana native averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds as a sophomore for the Trailblazers in 2006-07. Smith, who can play as many as three positions, led Vincennes in scoring 11 times last season, including five double-doubles.
"Sean is a guy who has a knack for scoring," Patton said. "He has about a 15-16 foot range, but is capable of knocking down the three, but I think the strength of his game is that 15 foot range."
Patton feels the addition of Ervin and Smith will strengthen their interior defense.
"One of the things we needed to do is extend our defense," Patton said. "Guys that are long in reach are able to play a lot bigger. Both of these guys fit into our system in getting up and down the floor."
Ervin and Smith are the first Northern Illinois signees for Patton, who was named the 26th head men's basketball coach in NIU history on March 19, 2007.
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