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USF men’s basketball head coach Brian Gregory announced that 6’10’ JUCO center Antun Maricevic (An-TOON MAH-riss-AH-vich) has officially signed on the dotted line and is now a Bull.
“We are very excited to have Antun join our program,” Gregory said. “His experience playing at the highest junior college level, coupled with his international experience, will allow him to make an immediate impact on our program. Playing for a terrific coach in Dan Russell at Casper College has helped prepare Antun for the transition to Division I college basketball. His work ethic, basketball IQ and skill level make him a perfect fit for what we are building here at USF.”
The Croatian native spent last season at NJCAA Casper College in Casper, Wyoming and averaged 15.5 PPG along with 7.8 RPG as he led his team to a 22-10 record and a second round appearance in the NJCAA Region IX tournament.
He shot an otherworldly 67.3% from the field and 83% from the free throw line. Both would’ve been best among Bulls last season (Yes, I know D1>NJCAA, but a FT is 15-feet away anywhere you play.)
The only other low post player on the roster currently is 7’2” Nikola Scekic who averaged a very pedestrian 2.3 PPG and 2.6 RPG on 37% shooting.
Maricevic joins three-star guard Xavier Castaneda, three-star center Michael Durr and three-star Rashun Williams in Gregory’s 2018 signing class. The Bulls have nine scholarship players on the roster right now
Our pal Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times tweeted today:
I believe they still have 3 scholarships to give, and they're gonna try to give 'em. Spring signing period runs to mid-May https://t.co/EB2MGhyAy0
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) April 17, 2018
Based on roster composition, I’d expect at least one more post player to be added into the mix. Whether that’s a freshman or grad transfer remains to be seen.
Maricevic will be a junior and have two years of eligibility left.