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May 15, 2008

Men's Basketball: Penguins Sign Orlando Area All-State Product Eddie D'Haiti

Head Coach Jerry Slocum announced Thursday that Eddie D'Haiti, an honorable-mention Class 6A selection from Orlando, Fla., has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Youngstown State men's basketball program.

D'Haiti, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Fla., was an honorable-mention all-state selection in Florida's biggest class. He earned first-team All-Metro and All-Orange County honors and was named second-team All-Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel. He was also ranked as one of the top 40 seniors in the state by various websites and services.

Slocum said D'Haiti brings a lot to the table at the forward postion.

"We are very excited to get a player with Ed's size and ability," Slocum said. "He has a chance to be an important contributor at our level. He comes from a successful program at Oak Ridge and he played at the highest level in the state of Florida. He fits the quality of person that we have filled this recruiting class with."

D'Haiti helped lead Oak Ridge to a 21-8 record last season as the Pioneers reached the regional quarterfinals of the state tournament. For the season he averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game for Coach Matt Turner's squad.

He said he was impressed with the overall atmosphere of the program and the university during his visit last week.

"I like Youngstown State a lot and the program that Coach Slocum and his staff have going there," he said. "I think they will have a winning team next year and I want to be a part of that."

"I liked the people a lot and the campus was beautiful. I met some people who I will love to be around."

The move to Youngstown from Orlando will not be a challenge, D'Haiti said.

"It would be a big issue if I was going to a place that had some negative people," D'Haiti said. "But I am going to be around positive people at Youngstown State and I will feel right at home."

He said he plans on adding some weight and working on his strength before coming to campus this fall.

"I'm gifted with my scoring ability so hopefully that will be an asset for the program," D'Haiti said. "I have pretty good range and can play both in and out."

D'Haiti joins a group of signees that includes junior college players Sirlester Martin, Dallas Blocker, Kelvin Bright and DeAndre Mays along with fellow freshman Ashen Ward.