LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock head men's basketball coach
Darrell Walker today announced the Trojans' three early signees for the 2019-20 season. The Trojans added a pair of junior college transfers in
Admir Besovic and
Ruot Monyyong, both of which will have two years of eligibility remainining, as well as freshman guard
Jovan Stulic, who has all four years of collegiate eligibility
.
"I'm excited to add all three of these players and the experience and depth they'll add to our program," Walker said. "We were looking to add some size, which we definitely addressed, as well as some guys that could score. I think we addressed those needs and I'm looking forward to getting these three to Little Rock."
All three will join the Trojans next summer and will be on the active roster for 2019-20.
Admir Besovic
7-0 | 240 | Center
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina | Santa Fe College
Prior to Little Rock: Currently attending Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida … Averaging 10 points and five rebounds while shooting 54.7% from the floor through his first eight games … Scored in double figures in each of the last four games, including a season-high 20 against State College of Florida … Spent one season at the University of Montana, appearing in 18 games for the Grizzlies as a freshman … Scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds in 31 minutes of action … Member of Montana's 2017-18 Big Sky Conference championship and NCAA tournament team … Attended Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game … Numerous all-area accolades … Two-star recruit … Competed for Basketball Club Kos in Bosnia before coming to the United States.
Walker's Thoughts: "He's big and he's very physical. He can make the mid-range jumpshot and is a solid post player. He has a nice little jump hook, and really brings a toughness to our team we don't have. He can bang inside and mix it up, and I thought we needed a guy like that to come off the bench and give us that physical presence."
Ruot Monyyong
6-11 | 210 | Forward
Nashville, Tenn. | Shelton State Community College
Prior to Little Rock: Currently attending Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama … Averaging 21.2 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 50.5% from the floor through the first six games of the season … Scored 24 points or more on three separate occasions, including a career-high 35 points with 12 rebounds against East Mississippi … Spent his freshman season at Eastern Florida State where he played in 30 games, averaging 5.9 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 64.2% … Scored in double figures seven times with three double-doubles while helping lead the Titans to a 30-5 record … Three-star recruit by ESPN out of Whites Creek High School in Nashville where he averaged 18.3 points, 14.1 rebounds and six blocks as a senior, leading the Cobras to the state semifinals.
Walker's Thoughts: "Ruot is very skilled. He is a solid shooter and can really run the floor. He's an excellent passer and is a very skilled shot blocker. You put him out there with
Kris Bankston and they can be a real defensive threat. He can put the ball on the floor and is just a solid all-around basketball player."
Jovan Stulic
6-6 | 205 | Guard
Prigrevica, Serbia | Seacrest Country Day (Naples, Fla.)
Prior to Little Rock: Two year letterwinner at Seacrest Country Day High School in Naples, Florida … 2017-18 3A All-State selection …
Naples Daily News All-Star Team … Averaged 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a junior while shooting 53.2% from the floor and 40.4% from three-point range … Shot 86.89% from the free throw line … Currently averaging 19.0 points, two rebounds and two assists per game as a senior … Helped lead the Stingrays to a 15-11 overall record in 2017-18, advancing to the Class 3A playoffs … Member of both the Florida Elite and Florida Elite Southwest club teams … Two-star recruit … Played for both Prigrevica and Vizura in his native Serbia before arriving in the United States.
Walker's Thoughts: "What Jovan gives us is a bonafide knock-down shooter. He's a lefty, and really can shoot the basketball. He's a gym rat, has great size – he's every bit as tall as I am. He has unbelievable range and right now would be one of the best shooters on our team. He'll be a freshman, but he knows how to play and has that feel for the game you just can't teach."
Little Rock is 3-3 through the first six games of 2018-19 and is getting set for the Governor's I-40 Showdown rivalry game at Central Arkansas Wednesday evening. Opening tip between the Trojans and Bears is set for 7 p.m. at the Farris Center in Conway.
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