ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team has added a pair of former Division I players to its 2008-09 roster as head coach Rusty Osborne announced Thursday that guards Paul Wayne and Brandon Walker have joined the Seawolves. Wayne will be a senior and Walker a sophomore.
Wayne, 6-1, 165, played in 20 games, including eight starting assignments, for Cal State Northridge last season. He averaged 4.6 points per game and was second on the Matadors in both assists (2.6 apg) and steals (1.5 spg), shooting 83 percent from the free throw line. The Washington, D.C. (Dunbar HS) native played his sophomore campaign at traditional junior-college power College of Southern Idaho, where he started for a Golden Eagles team that went 30-7 and won the Region 18 co-title. Wayne spent his freshman season at Salt Lake Community College, helping his squad to a 22-8 record with averages of 9.0 ppg, 2.5 apg and 2.0 spg.
“We are excited to have Paul join the Seawolves,” Osborne said. “He is a tremendous defender who can disrupt an opponent's offense by himself. Offensively, he can push the ball and make great decisions. His quickness will allow him to create for the rest of the team. Paul's biggest asset is he is a winner ? he has been on teams that have a combined record of 72-25 in his three years.”
Walker, 6-3, 195, played his freshman season at Loyola Marymount in 2007-08, where he averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds while seeing action in all 28 games. As a prep standout, the Hayward, Calif., native led Bishop O'Dowd High School to two NorCal championships and three conference titles in four years. Walker was the second-leading scorer (17 ppg) in the Hayward Athletic League as a senior in 2006-07, earning league MVP honors.
“Brandon Walker is a tremendous addition to our team,” Osborne said. “He is a very versatile, strong and tireless worker. With three years left, we expect Brandon to leave a big mark on Seawolf Basketball. In addition to his basketball ability, Brandon brings outstanding character and leadership skills. After a year of experience at LMU, we expect him to make big contributions for us this season.”
Wayne and Walker become the fifth and sixth newcomers to join the UAA roster this season, along with junior swingman Chris Neal (6-5, 210, Sydney, Australia/San Diego Christian), junior guard Darren Nye (6-1, 175, Corning, Calif./College of the Redwoods), junior forward Casey Robinson (6-6, 245, Manila, Utah/Eastern Wyoming College), and freshman guard Steve White (6-0, 195, Manly, Australia).
