Gator swingman joins 49er ranks

With Antrone Lee, the Cal State Long Beach men's basketball team has added yet another player in what should be a very exciting 1997-1998 season.

Lee, who played his freshman year at the University of Florida, has transferred to CSULB and has already started classes for the fall semester.

The 6-foot-7-inch guard/forward will redshirt the 1996-1997 season in accordance with NCAA rules, 49er head coach Wayne Morgan announced.

"I believe we are extremely fortunate to have Antrone join our family at Long Beach State," Morgan said. "Antrone is one of the most skilled and versatile players at his height I have ever seen."

Lee joins a 49er team that is expected to do big things next year. Expected returnees include Big West conference scoring leader James Cotton, forward Akeli Jackson, and point guard Tommie Davis. The arrival of high school phenom Schea Cotton, who recently verbally agreed to CSULB, is also anticipated.

As a prep, Lee attended Thomson High School in Thomson, Ga. He averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and an impressive five blocks per game during his senior year. After that season, Lee earned All-State honorable mention and was selected to play in the North-South Georgia all-star game.

Highly recruited by major Division I programs, Lee chose Florida over South Carolina and 1996 NCAA finalist Syracuse.

Lee appeared in 26 games last season under coach Lon Kruger's Florida Gators. The Gators finished 12-16 overall, 6-10 in Southeastern Conference play. That conference includes elite powers Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi State.