Men's Basketball Signs Pittman to National Letter of Intent

11/17/04 -- Third-year coach Jim Ferry announced today the signing of Lamar Pittman to a National Letter of Intent to join the Long Island men’s basketball program for the 2005-06 season.

Pittman, a 6-7 power forward/center, averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game as a junior at Poughkeepsie (NY) High School.

The 235-pounder earned all-league and all-tournament accolades after helping lead the Pioneers to an 18-5 mark and a league championship. Poughkeepsie fell in the Section One, Class AA playoffs to eventual state champ, Mt. Vernon. Pittman is coached at Poughkeepsie by Brian Laffin.

“We are extremely excited to have Lamar join our program,” said Ferry. “His versatility as a front court player fits in well with our system.”

As a sophomore in 2002-03, Pittman tallied nine points and seven rebounds a contest. This past summer, he was one of 300 players invited to the Nike Camp in Indianapolis, Ind. Pittman also plays for the AAU team, the Albany City Rocks.

Ferry adds, “above and beyond basketball, we are thrilled to have another great kid join our team.”

The Blackbirds, who return three starters and seven letterwinners, open the 2004-05 campaign on Sunday, November 21 hosting Lehigh. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.