By Brad Blume; Sports Information Director
RAPID CITY --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball program continues to make upgrades to its roster as the Hardrockers prepare for the 2010-11 season and the final year of the Dakota Athletic Conference. The most recent addition to the team is NCAA Div. I transfer James Dean, from Las Vegas, Nev.
"James is a great late addition for the Hardrockers," said Hardrocker head coach Jason Henry. "He will bring competitiveness, toughness and has excellent range as a shooter."
Dean spent the 2009-10 at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie, as a redshirt for the Cowboys. Prior to that, Dean was a member of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball 2008-09 team and played in a handful of games, helping the Panthers to a 17-14overall season
"We were intrigued by James' basketball background from competing and practicing at the NCAA Div. I level," Henry said. "We are anxious to see that intensity and competitiveness during the Hardrockers' practices and throughout the season."
During Dean's high school career, the 6-foot-2-inch guard, played for the Centennial High School Bulldogs. As a senior he averaged 16.5 points a game, was a second-team all-state selection, earned the team MVP award, received academic all-state honors and was a member of the National Honors Society.
"James has a great understanding for the game of basketball," Henry added. "His basketball IQ equals his academic IQ as he has one of the highest ACT scores on our team.
While attending SD School of Mines Dean plans to major in Civil Engineering.