Aces Sign Nate Garner, 6'5" Forward

[Ace Happy]

Aces Add Basketball Player Nate Garner


New University of Evansville basketball coach Marty Simmons and his staff have signed a second player to a national letter of intent with the addition of 6'5" forward Nate Garner, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa who attends Tyler (Texas) Junior College.

The 225-pound Garner will have two years of eligibility with the Purple Aces. He becomes Evansville's second signee of the spring signing period, joining guard Kavon Lacey of Alton, Ill.

"Nate brings us some physical presence inside," Simmons says. "He may be undersized as a forward, but he's a warrior. He's very physical, he loves to play, he's an excellent passer, and he knows the game. We really like both players that we've signed so far. Nate and Kavon have a lot of similarities. They're tough, they play hard, and they're smart."

Garner averaged 14 points and eight rebounds, and shot 62 percent, for a Tyler squad that head coach Mike Marquis led to the East Texas Junior College Playoffs. Two other Tyler players signed with Division I programs. Garner produced eight double-double games this season for the Apaches, scoring a season-high 30 points twice and pulling down 17 rebounds in one game. Garner was chosen second team all-region, all-conference, and as the team's most valuable player. As a freshman at Tyler, he averaged 10.6 rebounds.

Garner is a graduate of George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, where he was first team all-state as a senior. He qualified academically to attend a four-year college out of high school, but elected to follow AAU teammate Tyrone Cole-Scott to Tyler. Garner expects to major in business administration or marketing at the University of Evansville.

He becomes the fourth newcomer at Evansville for the 2007-08 season, along with Lacey and fall signees Jonathan VanHoose of Ashland, Ky. and Clint Hopf (pronounced HOPE-f) of Birdseye, Ind. They will join 10 players who return from the 2006-07 team.

[LincolnJay]

Beefy! :pizza:

Any Iowa folks able to offer any insight as to his abilities during high school?

[UE-BBALL#1]

This kid made a visit this past weekend. Many players were impressed, said he has a lot of athleticism and can jump out of the gym. Said he would be undersized but able to play the 4 for us.

[getreal4]

He was a solid HS player in Iowa. I'm told he has really matured the past 2 years and has become more of a physical player and a tenacious rebounder. Should be of immediate help to the Aces.

[tennis08tarheels]

Another hometown TJC guy joins the MVC. This is gonna be fun to watch next year.

[eddantes]

Looks like another Ian Hanavan....I wonder if Marty was the one reponsible for bringing Ian in?

[AcePurpleFan]

Looks like another Ian Hanavan....I wonder if Marty was the one reponsible for bringing Ian in?


I liked Ian

[Aces101]

Here is an article from the Tyler newspaper:


Sophomore forward Nate Garner is a jack-of-all-trades for the Tyler Junior College Apaches.

Depending on the circumstance, Garner can be TJC's best scorer, rebounder or passer.

That versatility was developed at a young age, and he played just about every position at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, starting out at point guard.

The 6-5 1/2, 225-pounder has continued to do whatever it takes to be successful at TJC, averaging 14.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a sophomore.

Garner has eight double-doubles in conference play, including a pair of 30-point games and one 17-rebound game along with six assists.

"I think the key is his toughness," said TJC head coach Mike Marquis, who conducted an intense practice Thursday after giving his team off on Wednesday. "He's a warrior out there. His versatility has brought a lot. He's played everything from point to center in his two years and he can defend."

Garner was an academic qualifier out of high school, but he went to a junior college to enhance both his game and recruiting profile. Teammate Tyrone Cole-Scott, who is from Waterloo, Iowa, deserves an assist.

"Tyler wasn't recruiting me, they were recruiting Tyrone," said Garner, who played with Cole-Scott in AAU ball and against him in high school. "My AAU coach is good friends with coach Marquis and he talked to him about me coming down there, too. I talked to coach Marquis and sent some film, and that's how it all started.

"I told Tyrone if you sign I'll sign. He signed one week and I signed the next."

The two years in Tyler have been very beneficial for Garner, who has flourished academically while also being pursued by Middle Tennessee State, Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Garner's rebounding prowess - almost Dennis Rodman-like, belies his size and average leaping ability.

"It's all about jumping quicker than someone," said Garner, who averaged 10.6 rebounds per game as a freshman. "I don't necessarily get up that high. When I hit the ground I can get back up to the same height quicker.

"Some people, when they jump they've got to come down and regather and jump again. I just keep bouncing at the same height."

Garner, who scored in double figures in 17 of 22 conference games this season, has the third-best field-goal percentage (63.3) in Region XIV. His two best shooting games are 10-for-12 and 13-for-18.

"Everyone lets me get to the block and get layups," said Garner, a second-generation college student. "I haven't needed to shoot a jumper this whole year. If I can score 30 on the block, why go shoot a jumper?"

Garner was so dominant early in the conference season that he began drawing double-teams and help defense.

"People started definitely paying more attention to me, I started getting probably the best post defender," he said.

After a successful fifth-place finish in conference play, Garner and the other four experienced sophomores are battle-tested entering Saturday's Region XIV Tournament opener against Navarro.

"The regional tournament is a whole different ballgame," said Garner, whose mom, Paula Garner, attended Thursday's practice and will watch her son play this weekend. "It's one-and-done and everyone has to come ready to play.

"Every possession counts."

[Aces101]

As a junior and senior, Garner played on a top 25 AAU team.

[aceshigh]

The kid sounds like he has a great attitude, I just wish he was two inches taller, that means the next signee has to be around 6'10

[Bigcityp]

We've signed 4 new guys, how many more spots are going to be given out for next season? Are we waiting around to see what the kid from the chicago does? (Can't remember his name :no:)

[UE-BBALL#1]

I'm hoping we are about done with signing, get us one more big man. We only have one scholarship senior next year. Might be best to hold a couple back so that Simmons can bring in his first class.

[E-Ville]

We've got 2 more to give. With 2 guys injured, I wouldn't mind seeing the Aces use them all. But then again, Evansville High Schools have 2 good prospects coming out next year. So either way I'm happy, but I'd consider this a great class if we could get both Isiah Martin from Chicago and Mantas Griskenas the JuCo.

I have a feeling both these bulky guys that Simmons recruited can both play some D.

Does anybody have any inside info. on PVT's skill level or if it's certain Willie Larry will not play next year?

[UE-BBALL#1]

I heard from some other players that PVT has progressed a lot but still probably isn't going to be ready to contribute on a consistent basis. He's a big guy, but during exhibitions this year he looked really lost on the floor and basically just filled space. Hopefully he can at least rebound for us this year.

[aceshigh]

If you google Clint Hopf, basketball and Jon Van Hoose, basketball, there are some pretty good articles on them, looks like both kids made first team all state and named player of the year in their area,
these kids are looking pretty good
I think Merfelt took care of us on these two