Butler Adds Four Men’s Basketball Recruits

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Just seven months removed from the Final Four, Butler head coach Brad Stevens added his “First Four” 2011-12 men’s basketball recruits on the first day of the NCAA Fall Signing Period.  The Butler coach received signed commitments from 6-4 Roosevelt Jones of O’Fallon, Ill., 6-1 Jackson Aldridge of Sydney, Australia, 6-6 Andy Smeathers of Bargersville and 6-9 Kameron Woods of Louisville, Ky.

“We’re very excited to announce the newest additions to the Butler basketball family,” said Stevens, who heading into his fourth season as Butler’s head coach.  “We think that Roosevelt, Jackson, Andy and Kam will add greatly to Butler University and this program.  Collectively, they’ve done well in the classroom and they’ve demonstrated a terrific ability to play the game well and positively affect their team’s success.  If I had to use a phrase to describe this group, that phrase would be versatile winners.”

Jones helped O’Fallon High School to a 30-4 record in the largest class in Illinois last season.  He led his high school team in scoring (20 ppg) and rebounding (12 rpg) as a junior, finishing the season with 26 points and 13 rebounds in the third place game of the Illinois State Tournament.  Jones played for the St. Louis Eagles during the summer.

“Rose has had a terrific high school career.  He is a very versatile player with great savvy.  His skill-set allows him to play multiple spots on offense, and his athleticism, strength and toughness will benefit him in guarding any position on the floor,” noted Stevens.

Aldridge gained attention as a point-guard in international play.  He won a gold medal with the Australia U18 team at the Albert Schweitzer Games, where he was named All-Tournament.  He also competed at the Australia U19 qualifiers.  He plays for the Australian Institute of Sport in Sydney.

“We’ve known about Jackson for quite some time and have been impressed with him, not only as a good player but as a leader,” said Stevens.  “He’s a tough, skilled guard with good athleticism who has won in every situation.  He has all the positive qualities that we look for in a guard at Butler.”

Smeathers, who demonstrated a long-range shooting touch at Center Grove High School, averaged 14 points and shot 42% as a junior.  He helped his high school squad to a 17-4 record and the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference championship.

“Andy is a very skilled wing with a big upside,” noted Stevens.  “He can shoot the basketball well beyond the three-point line, and he’s able to defend multiple positions with his size, length and ability to move.”

Woods became one of the hot prospects in Kentucky during a strong summer performance with the Louisville BA Hoyas.  He played center at Eastern High School, one of the top programs in Kentucky, and averaged 7.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots as a junior.

“Kam’s versatility and athleticism are at a VERY high level.  At 6-9, with great length, Kam handles, passes and shoots well, while being able to guard any position on the floor,” pointed out Stevens.  “He can change the outcome of a game, not only statistically but with his presence and savvy.”

The four recruits will join Butler in the fall of 2011.

Butler, coming off a 33-5 season and an appearance in the NCAA National Championship game, will open the 2010-11 season at home on Saturday, Nov. 13, against Marian.  Tip-off for the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse will be 2 p.m. (ET).