Cal Basketball: Two recruits signed another rumored to sign soon

November 13, 10:21 AMCal Bears ExaminerRob Calonge

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The Cal Bears announced that they have received signed letters of intent from a couple of their basketball recruits on Wednesday.  One of Cal's desperate needs for the coming season is big men, but Mike Montgomery won't have to worry as much about that next year.

The Bears received signed letters of intent from high school senior Bak Bak (no, that's not a typo) and junior college recruit, Markhuri Sanders-Frison.

Bak Bak, (6'10" 200 lbs), is a center/power forward who will need to gain some strength in order to fulfill the promise of his size.  Bak is originally from Sudan and raised in Nairobi, Kenya.  He moved to the states two years ago and has never played in a high school game.

Rivals.com has him listed as a three-star recruit while Scout.com has him listed as a two-star.  A player that has never played in high school and getting the recognition for his skills is rare, but Bak has showcased those skills playing on AAU team Double Pump Elite.

(Bak's) very versatile. He just has an extremely high skill set. And after Keegan (Hornbuckle), he was our second best shooter. He got a chance to practice against Anthony Stover (UCLA commit), and he's got great mechanics with a compact and quick stroke too. Bak just has a knack for scoring, plus a very nice jump-hook.
- Double Pump Elite AAU head coach Robert Icart

Along with getting stronger, Bak will have to learn to specialize a little better.  As of now, he's more a 'jack of all trades' player who is able to do a little of everything, but in order for him to be successful at the next level, he'll have to get better at the skills that Montgomery and Cal need him for, like defense.

Bak Bak is a very talented big kid who can shoot the ball well and has good ball handling skills.  He needs to get stronger, but we fully expect him to flourish in our system. He has a world of experience and we are looking forward to having him in our program.
- Mike Montgomery

The second player that has signed with Cal is a junior college transfer from South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, Markhuri Sanders-Frison (6'8" 270 lbs).  He's originally from Portland Oregon and went to a basketball factory for high school, Jefferson High.  In fact, he becomes the eighth player from the 2005 graduating class to receive a scholarship to hoop at the Div I level.

Pronounced "Mur-Kuree," has traveled a long road to get to Cal.  First he went to Hebron Prep Academy in Maine (2006), followed by a stint at Arizona Junior College (2007), then this year in Levelland just to gain academic eligibility as an NCAA student-athlete.  Self-described as a "blue collar, physical player," he should help solidify the front court for the Bears in 2009.

Scout.com and Rivals.com have Sanders-Frison listed as a three-star recruit.  Along with his physical attributes and skills on the court, he's been described as a leader off of it and a positive force in the locker room.

Markhuri was really the glue on our team throughout his career.  Every one of those guys would tell you that too. He's got that thing where people follow him naturally; that leadership ability. Our whole program, and much of this city, couldn't be more proud of Markhuri today, you know, signing with Cal.
- former Jefferson assistant Paul Kelly

Sanders-Frison comes in as a junior next season so he'll be expected to step in right away and help the Bears in the paint.  His big frame will be a nice tool when the Bears go up against bigger competition in the Pac-10 and what they hope will be other top competition around the country.

We are also excited about signing Sanders-Frison, a more mature player who has really developed in the last couple of years.  He gives us an inside presence, which is something that is really needed. He has a big body and should provide us with immediate help in the low post.
- Mike Montgomery

Another recruit that has already verbally committed to Cal, but has yet to send his letter of intent in is 6'0", 170 lb point guard Brandon Smith from De La Salle High, in Concord, CA.  While Rivals doesn't have a 'star' rating for him, Scout has him listed as a two-star recruit.  He is considered one of Northern California's top point guards for the class of 2009.  Smith had offers from UCSB, San Diego State, San Francisco, UC-Davis, Pacific (who Cal plays Friday), Portland and Denver.

Smith is an undersized point guard for the Division I level, but his toughness and savvy make up for his lack of size.
- ESPN.com's Joel Francisco

We'll get back to Smith when his letter arives...

Here are a few quotes from the new recruits:

Bak Bak

On making his decision to commit to Cal:

It is tough because I got back home here and I was still thinking about my trip to Cal.  There were so many positive things that I liked, so it was just sinking in. But on Tuesday, I knew that's where I was going to go to school. I knew that's the place I wanted to be.

On Cal's coaching:

I like the coaches the most at Cal, and I like Coach Montgomery's experience.  I know he'll make me better. That was something that impressed me a lot.

On the university and the town:

I also really like Berkeley and the school. I like the campus. It is a small town, but it is like the world too. There are so many people from so many places.

Markhuri Sanders-Frison

On his game:

I'm blue-collar all the way.  That's my game too. Straight physical. That's what people are going to see from me in the Pac-10.

On the Bears' coaching staff:

Coach Travis (DeCuire) is the man.  I love him. He's someone I have a lot of respect for, and Coach (Gregg) Gottlieb coached my uncle, and I know they are great friends too. When you add in like Coach John, and the fact that I get a chance to play for Mike Montgomery, who used to run the Pac-10 basically and now has experience in the NBA, I just couldn't imagine a better place to play and go to school.

On coming to Cal:

Cal was everything I was hoping for as a student-athlete. I had to fight to get there, but I always knew I would. To think I can walk out in two years with a Cal degree, that's just something really powerful to me.