Oklahoma State University Athletics
Jurick Inks LOI with Oklahoma State
April 18, 2011 | Cowboy Basketball
April 18, 2011
Stillwater, Okla. — Philip Jurick, a 6-11 center at Chattanooga State, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Oklahoma State, head coach Travis Ford announced today.
“We're excited about Philip joining our basketball family,” Ford said. “He brings with him a great physical presence that we were needing. He's one of the premier shot blockers in the country, but he also has the ability to score around the basket. He will most certainly help us on both ends of the court.”
Jurick was named a second-team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association after nearly averaging a triple-double during his sophomore season for the Tigers. He averaged 10.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and 9.5 blocks per game in leading Chattanooga State to its first-ever appearance in the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.
“He brings great experience, size and physicality to our team,” said Ford. “There is no doubt that he can compete in the Big 12 Conference physically, and will be ready to do that. After losing Marshall (Moses) and Matt (Pilgrim) and the physicality they brought, Philip can replace that.”
Jurick spent two seasons at Chattanooga State after redshirting his freshman season at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. As a high school senior in 2008, he signed with the Volunteers as the 14th-best center and No. 68 player overall nationally out of East Ridge High School in Chattanooga.
The NJCAA Region VII Player of the Year in 2011, Jurick was also named the Region VII Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. Jurick was named the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and was also named to the All-TCCAA squad.
“Philip was very highly recruited and we're very excited to have one of the premier big men in the country signing with us today,” Ford concluded.
Jurick joins LeBryan Nash and Cezar Guerrero in Oklahoma State's 2011 signing class.
