DETROIT (11/16/13) — University of Detroit Mercy head men's basketball coach Ray McCallum has announced the signing of a pair of in-state student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, on Thursday during the NCAA's early signing period. Aaron Foster-Smith (Taylor, Mich./Truman HS) and Jaleel Hogan (Saginaw, Mich./Mt. Pleasant HS) will enroll at UDM and join the team in the 2014-15 season.

The focus was on post players with the early signing class and the Titans got the bodies they needed with the 6-foot-7, 215 pound, Foster-Smith and 6-foot-6, 250 pound, Hogan. Both will be charged with replacing a frontcourt that boasts centers Ugochukwu Njoku and Olumide Solanke as well as senior co-captain Evan Bruinsma and forward Jermaine Lippert. All four of those Titans will graduate following this season.

"We have two signees from the state that are great young men and outstanding players," stated coach McCallum. "We have two of the finest players in the state of Michigan. We are losing a lot up front and they are going to make an impact right away."

Foster-Smith, is an explosive talent who plays hard, athletic, rebounds and defends well. His style of play is similar to recent Titan graduate Nick Minnerath who shot well from deep to go with a solid mid-range game. He comes to Detroit from Taylor, Mich. where he played at Truman High School and averaged 21.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game during the 2012-13 season. He was selected to the News Herald All Downriver 'Dream Team' for the second year in a row and was named to the Detroit News 'All Metro West First Team' and to the Class A 'All State Third Team.'

"He's a young man that grew up 20 minutes from campus and has a great upside," said coach McCallum. "He can score around the basket, but is a tremendous three-point shooter and very athletic at 6-foot-7. He will probably end up being one of the all-time leading scorers at Truman High School and in the state."

Hogan is an imposing force inside for Mount Pleasant High School, where as a junior, averaged a double-double of 14.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game with the Oilers. He currently ranks among the Top-10 seniors in the state of Michigan after averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game over the summer with his AAU team HoopGrind.

"He is a good physical presence down low that loves contact," McCallum noted.  "He likes to play around the basket and has great hands to start with. He's got a wide strong body for a young guy and is very athletic and explosive around the basket."

Season tickets for the 2013-14 men's basketball team are on sale. Don't miss a chance to have guaranteed priority seating to watch the Titans at historic Calihan Hall. For more information on season and general ticket information, click here or call the Detroit Ticket Office at (313) 993-1700.