Negedu to New Mexico; Stefan to La Salle

Emmanuel Negedu, a 6-7, 220-pound sophomore forward originally from Nigeria, has landed at New Mexico.

“Yes, Emmanuel has committed to New Mexico,” Brewster (N.H.) Academy coach Jason Smith wrote by text. “He hasn’t signed [scholarship] papers yet. He will on Monday.”

Negedu, the 2008 New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year, also visited Indiana.

He sat out last season at Tennessee after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest on Sept. 28, 2009 and having a sub-pectoral internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implanted in his chest on Oct. 6. Negedu remained on full scholarship, attended practices and traveled with the team.

Now he will suit up at New Mexico.

“New Mexico has cleared him to play,” Smith said. “He will hopefully receive a waiver and play immediately, since he sat this year. He has three years of eligibility left.”

STEFAN TO LA SALLE

Cole Stefan, a finalist for Mr. Basketball in the state of Minnesota, signed a Letter of Intent to play at La Salle.

“Cole has a bright future and is a perfect fit with his classmates,” La Salle coach Dr. John Giannini said. “He can be part of our core group for the next four years.”

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Stefan averaged 19 points per game as a junior and 19.3 ppg. as a senior at Minnetonka (Minn.) High. He was also a McDonald’s All-American game nominee at Minnetonka High School.

“He is an excellent shooter, a good athlete and a smart, unselfish player,” Giannini said. “He comes from a great family and will be a positive addition to our program and the La Salle community.”

Stefan was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for Minnetonka, which won the Minnesota State Championship in 2008.

Stefan joins three players in Giannini’s recruiting class —Tyreek Duren, Sam Mills and Matt Lopez — who signed NLIs in the fall signing period.

(Photos courtesy Tennessee Athletics & Rivals.com)

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