New UDM head coach Ray McCallum continued his retooling of the Titan men's basketball roster with today's addition of transfer Eli Holman, a 6-9, 250-pound center who played last winter as a freshman at Indiana University.

McCallum spent the last two seasons on the IU basketball staff and is well-acquainted with the newest Titan, who was part of a recruiting class ranked among the top five in the country for 2006-07. Holman played in six games as a Big Ten freshman before being sidelined for the rest of last season with a wrist injury.

 

"I'm really happy that Eli made the decision to come to UDM. I think me having been at Indiana and recruiting him was a big reason why he went there and he had a great opportunity there. But when you're involved in a young man's life for two years, you obviously build a relationship that he cared about and respected and he wanted it to continue," coach McCallum said.

 

"With his size, he's an athletic player who can finish around the basket, he can block shots, he rebounds, he has good hands, he's a good runner. I think the next phase for him is to continue to grow as a player in our practices. I'm glad he's here with us."

 

Holman, a native of Richmond, CA, looks at his transfer to UDM as an opportunity to have a fresh start in his college career.

 

"I want to thank Indiana University for the time that I spent there. I was treated fairly by all the people connected to the University. But, at this time, I think that it is in the best interest for me and my family to transfer to the University of Detroit Mercy. I wish Indiana University the best of luck," Holman said.

 

"Coach Mac is a big reason why I'm here. He recruited me out of high school, and he's been like a father figure to me. I think he'll make an impact on the University. He's going to put some more (championship) banners up in the arena and he's going to get us to the NCAA Tournament. I want to help him do that. I found out right away there are some great people on this campus. I'm very comfortable with my choice."

 

Holman, who has already started summer classes at UDM, was considered among the nation's top 100 prospects when he signed with the Hoosiers. He averaged 24.7 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks as a senior at Richmond High School, helping his team to the state Division II championship. He was also named the top defensive player in Northern California.

 

Holman is the third heralded recruit to sign with UDM since McCallum's hiring in mid-April, following junior college forwards Thomas Kennedy (Flint [MI] Mott CC) and Xavier Keeling (Wallace State [AL] CC). Kennedy was a second-team NJCAA All-American in 2008 after leading Mott to its second straight national championship. Keeling, who began his college career at Indiana, helped Wallace State to a 32-1 record and a berth in the Alabama Community College Conference championship game last season.

 

"I like the three players we've added," McCallum said. "I felt like we needed more front line help. The three of them have good size for their positions. They're versatile players. They have great work ethics, and they're great people. Collectively, they are going to improve our program. They're winners. They came from good programs and that's important. Winning breeds winning."

 

Coach McCallum also announced Wednesday that two members of the 2007-08 UDM roster, centers Justin Sample and Russell Allen, have been given their releases. McCallum is in the process of assisting both players as they pursue transfers to other universities.

 

-Detroit Titans-