April 13, 2000
PULLMAN, Wash. - Two junior college players have signed national letters of
intent to play basketball for Washington State next season, Coach Paul
Graham announced Thursday. The two are Framecio Little (pronounced
frah-MEE-see-oh) from Dodge City, Kan., College and Paulo Rower from
Arizona Western College.
Little, a 6-6, 210-lbs., native of Anderson, S.C., was a two-time
all-conference selection for Dodge City. He averaged 17 points, five
rebounds and three assists as a sophomore and shot 50 percent from the
field, earning all-region honors. Dodge City was ranked as high as 11th
nationally last year and finished 21-10, winning 16 straight at one point.
"Framecio is a very multi-dimensional player," said Graham. "He will give
us more depth and athletic ability on our team next year. His athleticism
will allow us to play a more up-tempo game, especially combined with the
returning players we have and the four perimeter players we signed last
fall. Framecio can contribute right away and by signing him, we have taken
another step in making this team better."
Little led Dodge City to the Region VI tournament where they lost to
eventual champion Independence. Dodge City Coach Mike Rohn said the
Cougars are getting a solid all-around player.
"There's not much Framecio can't do on the basketball court," he said. "He
scores in a lot of different ways. He's a good passer, who handles the
ball well and he plays pretty good defense.
"From what the coaches have told me, Framecio will fit in nicely at
Washington State because he is so versatile. The WSU staff did an
exceptional job recruiting Framecio. The were very honest and up front all
the way and that's why he chose to go there."
Little chose WSU over Oregon State, Tulsa, Baylor, Virginia Tech and East
Carolina. He has been selected to play in the Kansas All-Star game,
featuring the top 20 junior college players in Kansas, later this month.
Rower is a 7-1, 310-lbs. center who averaged 3.5 points and 4.0 rebounds
per game last season in Western Arizona's guard-orientated offense. He
helped the Matadors to a 24-8 record and the Region I championship game.
Rower, who will be a junior next season, will add much-needed depth to
WSU's front line.
"Washington State is getting a quality person who understands the
importance of the team concept and understands the things he has to do in
order for the team to be successful, "said Arizona Western coach Kelly
Green. "Paulo is very coordinated, can catch and pass the ball well and
provides a presence inside that all coaches want. He is also in great
condition and doesn't have an ounce of fat on his body. Because we play an
up-tempo game, he gets up and down the court very well.
"Paulo is also a top of the line person. He's a guy who will work hard on
the court, work hard in the classroom and get his degree. He will
represent Washington State very well."
Rower, a native of Santa Maria, Brazil, was a member of the Matadors' 1999
junior college Region I championship team that advanced to the national
tournament. He averaged 4.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as a
freshman. In his two years, Arizona Western was 50-16.
Rower will be the first seven-foot player at Washington State since 7-1
Todd Anderson in 1984-88 and only the fifth true seven-footer in Cougar
history. The other three are 7-0 Ken Mathia (1984-87), John Tessem
(1976-80) and 1988 NBA All-Star James Donaldson (1976-79).
COUGAR GIANTS
Only five basketball players at Washington State have been measured at
seven feet tall or better.
Below is the list of elite giants.
Player Height Weight
James Donaldson (1976-79) 7-2 280
John Tessem (1976-80) 7-0 225
Ken Mathia (1984-87) 7-0 240
Todd Anderson (1984-88) 7-1 210
Paulo Rower (2001-02) 7-1 310
The two join four highly-recruited perimeter players who signed with WSU
last fall. That quartet, ranked second among the Pac-10 by several
recruiting sources, consists of Los Angeles area high school players Tommy
Johnson (Crenshaw) and Marcus Moore (Dominguez) and junior college
transfers Jerry McNair (Fullerton College) and Kendall Minor (Southern
Idaho). Johnson was recently named the Los Angeles City 2000 Player of the
Year, while Moore joined the Cougar team in January.
Graham also announced Thursday that freshman Bryan Whitehead's scholarship,
which is awarded on a year-to-year basis, will not be renewed for the
2000-01 season. The Mount Vernon, Wash., native averaged 1.2 points and
1.0 rebounds per game in 21 games last season. Whitehead will have the
option to remain with the WSU program as a non-scholarship player or
transfer to another university.
"We have met with Bryan and he completely understands why we were unable to
renew his scholarship. Bryan has handled the situation in a very mature
manner and I commend him for that. Bryan is in the process of deciding
what is best for him and his family and if he decides to transfer, the
coaching staff will help Bryan identify situations that will allow him to
continue to play basketball."
