DETROIT-- University of Detroit Mercy Head Men's Basketball Coach Ray McCallum announced the signing of P.J. Boutte to a National Letter of Intent Wednesday afternoon in the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.  Boutte is a quick, 5-foot-8 point guard who hails from Indianapolis, Ind. (T.C. Howe).

"P.J. has been committed to join us for about two years," McCallum said. " We're excited about him coming.  He is a fine young man of high character and an outstanding student."

Boutte led the state of Indiana in assists as junior, tallying 9.0 helpers per contest and racking-up over 200 for the season. That total was 58 more than the nearest player in that category and he also finished with 82 steals, tied for most in the Hoosier state.

"He is a winner and has won all his life, in elementary school, junior high and national championships in the AAU circuit," McCallum continued. "He was key to the Howe turnaround and that program being elevated.  He's on the verge of becoming the all-time assists leader in the state.  One of his strengths is he makes his teammates better so he's very valuable to a team and a program."

Boutte will enroll and join the Titans in the Fall of 2011.

Detroit will open its 2010-11 campaign this Saturday night, traveling to the University of New Mexico.  The game will be the first official contest since the $60-million dollar reconstruction of “the Pit”.  Tip-off is slated for 9:30 p.m. Eastern.