The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Former Indiana Standout Armon Bassett Transfers To UAB
7/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 14, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former Indiana standout Armon Bassett has signed to play at UAB, announced Blazers head coach Mike Davis. Bassett, a third-team All-Big Ten performer last season, will be allowed to practice with the team next season and can suit up for the Green and Gold in 2009-10.
Bassett will have two years of eligibility remaining at UAB after playing two seasons with the Hoosiers. He follows a trail blazed by Davis and current Blazer standout Robert Vaden as former Indiana Hoosiers who have come to UAB.
Davis, who recruited and signed Bassett while at Indiana, feels that Bassett could have a similar impact that Vaden has made on the UAB basketball program.
"Armon is a terrific addition for our program," Davis said. "I recruited him out of high school and I am really excited to have the chance to coach him. He is a great kid with loads of potential and will help us become a better team the moment he steps foot on campus."
During his two years at IU, Bassett played in 61 contests and made 50 starts. He averaged an astounding 43.5 percent from beyond the arc (114-of-262), collected 193 assists (3.2/game) and averaged 10.4 points over his two-year stint in Bloomington. Furthermore, he is a career 83.6 percent foul shooter.
As a sophomore, Bassett led the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage (45.4) and ranked fifth in the conference in three-pointers made per game (2.38). Additionally, he ranked ninth in the league with 3.31 assists per contest. He finished the campaign ranking third on the team with 11.4 ppg, second in assists and fourth in steals (27).
Bassett made an immediate impact as a freshman, competing in 32 games with 24 starts. He averaged 9.5 points a game and collected 97 assists, which ranked second on the team. He also shot 40.9 percent from deep and had 22 steals.
Bassett came to Indiana out of Hargrave Military Academy, a team that finished the 2006 season ranked second in the nation among prep schools. Listed as a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Bassett averaged 24 points, six rebounds and six assists per contest at Hargrave. Bassett also played at Terre Haute South Vigo HS where he collected 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per contest as a senior. He earned a spot on the 2005 Indiana all-star team and was a McDonald's All-America nominee.
Bassett joins previously announced UAB transfer Elijah Millsap (Louisiana-Lafayette) as players who will be allowed to practice next season. However, the duo cannot participate in game action until the 2009 campaign, according to NCAA transfer rules.
