Angus Brandt Signs Letter of Intent with Oregon State University

Brandt is rated as one of the top prospects in the 2009 class.

Angus Brandt image courtesy: allbuffs.com

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State men’s basketball program rounded out one of its most highly-touted recruiting classes in school history as Angus Brandt signed a National Letter of Intent with the Beavers on Monday, head coach Craig Robinson announced.

Brandt joins Joe Burton, Jared Cunningham, Rhys Murphy and Roberto Nelson as players who have signed with the Beavers. The group forms one of the most decorated men’s basketball signing classes in program history as the group is ranked No. 21 in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 8 in the nation by hoopscooponline.com.

“We are extremely pleased to bring in a class of this caliber,” head coach Craig Robinson said. “It is an athletic and intelligent group as each player brings skill sets that will fit well with our system. We finished the season on a great note and a signing class such as this will keep the program heading in the right direction.”

Brandt, a 6-10, 210-pound center, signs with Oregon State out of Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy and is rated as one of the top prospects in the 2009 class. The Sydney, Australia, native has been ranked as high as the No. 20 center in the country and No. 146 overall by Rivals.com.

Brandt recently concluded his senior season at Lake Forest, averaging 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while leading the team to a 15-10 record.

“Angus (Brandt) is a guy who can bring a lot to the table,” Robinson said. “He has a variety of skills and is capable of stepping back and hitting the three-point shot. He is a tough player who makes very good decisions on the court.”

In addition to Brandt, Cunningham and Murphy signed with the Beavers during the spring signing period.

Cunningham, a 6-3, 170-pound guard, signs with the Beavers out of San Leandro (Calif.) High School as one of the top guards in the nation. The guard is rated as the No. 14 point guard in the nation and No. 76 player overall by rivals.com.

The guard averaged 20.4 points, 6.3 rebounds per, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game his senior season while leading San Leandro to a 24-4 record and the Hayward Area league title.

“Jared (Cunningham) is a big guard who is a leader,” Robinson said. “He is an athletic player who is able to score and likes to get everyone involved. He certainly has a bright future and should excel in this system.”

Murphy, a 6-7, 185-pound shooting guard, signs with Oregon State out of Lee (Maine) Academy. An athletic player, the native of Australia is rated as a three-star prospect by nearly every recruiting service.

The guard burst onto the recruiting scene this past summer, his first in the United States, playing with the Chicago Elite before heading to Lee Academy.

“Rhys (Murphy) is an athletic and strong player who has great range on the three-point shot,” Robinson said. “He can defend multiple positions and should be a versatile player for us throughout his career.”

Oregon State recently completed one of the greatest single season turnarounds in the country as the Beavers captured the CBI postseason title and finished the year with an 18-18 record. The Beavers plus-12 win total from the previous year ranked No. 3 in the country.

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