DeJuan Marrero and LaMontray Harris have signed National Letters of Intent with the Morehead State men's basketball program. Both will be able to play during the 2015-16 school year. Marrero has two years of eligibility remaining, while Harris has four.
"I want to welcome DeJuan and LaMontray to our men's basketball program at Morehead State," Head Coach Sean Woods said. "We are excited to sign both individuals. They've had lots of success at their previous schools and are capable of helping us moving forward."
Marrero, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward, will come to Morehead State after one season at NJCAA member Chipola College (Fla.). He paced the Indians with 14.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per contest in 2014-15 while knocking down 43 percent from the field.
A native of Gary, Ind., Marrero originally signed with Big East Conference member DePaul out of high school. After sitting out the 2012-13 season with a right knee injury, he averaged 1.2 points and 2.2 rebounds for the Blue Demons in 2013-14 while shooting 40 percent from the floor.
Marrero led the Bowman Academy Eagles to an Indiana High School Athletic Association Class A state championship in 2010 and Class 2A runner-up finish in 2012. A three-time Times of Northwest Indiana First-Team All-Area selection, he earned a spot on the 2012 Indiana All-Star Team.
Marrero, who ESPN.com ranked 13th among Indiana seniors in 2012, averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds as a senior, 22 points and 15 rebounds as a junior and 17 points and 12 boards as a sophomore. He played for Puerto Rico's U18 national team at the 2010 FIBA Americas Tournament.
"DeJuan and I are both originally from Gary, Ind.," Woods said. "He's my type of young man because he's versatile, tenacious and a big-time competitor. DeJuan can play three positions, has a great motor and can help us on both ends of the floor. He's a winner who can score and rebound."
Harris, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward, will join the Eagles after one season at the Robinson (Prep) School in Irvington, N.J. He averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Phoenix in 2014-15. He tallied season highs of 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in the conference semifinals.
A native of Louisville, Ky., Harris started his high school career at Pleasure Ridge Park. He helped the Panthers to a 95-32 overall record (.748). PRP won Sixth Region championships and advanced to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association's Sweet Sixteen his final two campaigns.
Harris was a Second-Team All-State selection in 2013-14 after averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds.
"LaMontray is another talented young man who we will have for several years to come," Woods said. "He can score in a variety of ways and rebounds well. LaMontray is a good fit for our system because he likes to run and plays hard on both ends. He's also had a lot of previous success."
Morehead State has finished Ohio Valley Conference play .500-or-better in eight consecutive seasons. The Eagles have also advanced to the league tournament semifinals in six of the last seven years. MSU closed out the 2014-15 campaign with 10 victories in its final 14 contests.
