Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Sign James Tchana to Letter of Intent
11/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head men's basketball coach Ray Lopes has announced that James Tchana has signed a letter of intent to begin playing for the Bulldogs in the 2005-06 season.
A senior at Our Savior New American High School, Tchana (pronounced CHAH-nah) is a 6-8, 275-pound native of Cameroon who moved to Millerplace, N.Y., prior to his sophomore year. During his junior season in 2003-04, he averaged 12.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
But it was during the summer that Tchana began to really display his talents. He was considered one of the best post players at the prestigious Five Star Basketball Camp in Pittsburgh in late June. At that camp, he won the Station 13 Award, presented to the player who plays well every day at every station that is taught.
Tchana was also named to the all-tournament team of the Five-Star Hoop Classic in May. In addition, he has achieved academically, receiving his school's Student of the Month Award in October for success in the classroom.
"James is a tremendous person with very high character, and it is exciting that he will be joining our program," Lopes said. "He is a hard working young man who adds great size and determination to our front line. As his career goes on, he will develop into a very good low post player. In my opinion, he should become one of our most dependable players."
Tchana is the second post player to sign a letter of intent to play for Fresno State during the early signing period. On Wednesday, 6-10 center Eric Van Vliet of Santa Cruz, Calif., committed to the Bulldogs, who will lose senior posts Mustafa Al-Sayyad and Jack Marlow following the 2004-05 season.
