BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State increased its backcourt
versatility on Monday, adding Larry Swann from South Suburban College in
South Holland, Ill., Bobcat coach Brad Huse announced.
A 6-1, 170 lb combo guard originally from Columbus, Ohio, Swann
averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season. He
scored 739 in his two seasons at South Suburban, helping lead the
Bulldogs to a fifth-place finish at last springs NJCAA National
Championship Tournament. He earned first team all-region honors as a
sophomore, and was the MVP of the regional tournament.
"Larry is a versatile guard who brings a different dimension to
our offense," Huse said. "He is athletic and can score off the dribble,
but is also a good shooter from the perimeter. Our backcourt appears to
be a strength for this team, and we'll take advantage of the opportunity
to use a three-guard lineup on occasion. Larry is a competitive person
and a good athlete, and we're fortunate to add a player of his caliber."
South Suburban coach John Pigatti enjoyed Swann's two years in
his program. "Larry's a special player," Pigatti said. "He's a kid who
is an excellent shooter, and unbelievable competitor. He can play either
the two or the one (guard positions), and can defend three different
positions, as well. He has an excellent upside, because he's gotten
better and better every day here. His competitiveness and work ethic are
just unbelievable."
Like Huse, Pigatti lauded Swann for his versatility. "He can
handle it, he plays a couple of different positions, he's a very good
rebounder for a 6-1 guard, an he's an excellent defender who can guard
guys bigger than him because of his toughness."
The bottom line, for Pigatti, is Swann's affect on the program.
"He is a winner," Pigatti said. "He's won 57 games here, he's played on
back-to-back regional championship teams, been to two national
tournaments. I've been here for two seasons and we're 57-15 in that
time, and Larry's been a huge part of that."
Swann fills a void left by the departure of Phil Friesen, who
has informed Huse he will play his senior year of college ball in
California, closer to his home. Friesen played in 30 games last year,
starting 12, and averaged 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds a game.