June 25, 2007

NEWARK, NJ - The third time recruiting Gary Garris proved a charm for New Jersey Institute of Technology and its head men's basketball coach Jim Casciano, who announced that Garris has transferred to NJIT from American University in Washington, DC.

Under NCAA transfer rules, Garris, an athletic 6-5, 205-pound forward who resides in Ledgewood, NJ, will be eligible for practice, but not competition, at NJIT in 2007-08. He will have two remaining years of eligibility for competition, starting in 2008-09 and will practice with NJIT in 2007-08.

NJIT first recruited Garris when he was a student-athlete at Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, NJ. The Highlanders pursued him again when he was a postgraduate prep school student at The Hun School of Princeton (NJ), but he chose Division I American over NJIT, which was not yet playing the Division I schedule it adopted in 2006-07. Finally, when he decided to leave American after two seasons, the Highlanders were waiting with open arms.

At NJIT, he will be a teammate of his younger brother, Justin, who will be a freshman guard on the Highlanders. The brothers will practice together this season and figure to team in Division I competition the following year.

"I've always liked Gary," said Casciano. "He's a great kid from a great family and I'm happy to have him here. I wish he was available (for games) immediately, but he'll be a big help next year in practice."

Described as a strong, athletic forward who slashes to the basket and is a good finisher, Garris averaged 10 points per game in the strong program at the Hun School. He also starred at Morristown-Beard and was a Top 20 all-star at the prestigious Eastern Invitational Camp.

Playing at American, he was a member of teams that won 28 games in his two seasons. Appearing in 14 games total, he achieved his career scoring high twice, with four points each against George Mason (which would advance to the 2006 Final Four) and against powerful Maryland. He had a high of three rebounds vs. Mason, as well.

"He has gotten better from the time we first saw him," said Casciano of Garris. "I think he needed a change of scenery in basketball. He will have a chance to excel as an important part of our program."

The other five NJIT newcomers are incoming freshmen. They are (alphabetically): guard Tyler Epps (Charlotte, NC/North Mecklenburg HS); guard Justin Garris (Ledgewood, NJ/Delbarton School), Gary's younger brother; guard Brendon Lyn (Mt. Vernon, NY; Episcopal HS of Alexandria, VA); big man Paulius Skema (Vilnius, Lithuania/Veritas Christian Academy of Fletcher, NC) and guard Jheryl Wilson (Irvington, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep), also signed with the Highlanders.

(photo courtesy of American University Athletic Communications)