INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and head basketball coach Ron Hunter announced the signings of three student-athletes for the 2007-08 campaign, including a pair of local guards. Hunter inked 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard John Ashworth, 5-foot-9, 155-pound point guard Adrian Moss and 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward Christian Siakam for next season. All three will have four years of eligibility remaining.

“We really addressed some needs with this class,” Hunter said. “We lost a really good point guard, a really good big man and a great three-point shooter. Given some time, we’re hoping these three guys can come in and fill those voids down the road.”

Ashworth, who originally signed with Indiana State before being granted a release, averaged 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a senior at Franklin Central. He helped FCHS to a 24-3 overall record and the state’s No. 1 ranking in Class 4A for much of the season, where he teamed with Purdue signee JaJuan Johnson. He is rated as a ‘two star’ prospect by Rivals.com and was named Honorable Mention All-State by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association following the season. As a four-year starter, Ashworth amassed over 1,000 points in his prep career and was named to The Indianapolis Star South Super Team following his senior year. During the summers, he starred for Spiece Central on the AAU circuit.

“We’re really excited about getting John for next year,” Hunter said. “He has a really high basketball IQ and really gets his teammates involved. He brings a winning mentality to the court every time out, and brings out the best in his teammates.

“Plus, he wants to be a part of the program and a part of something special. He’s going to have a great career at IUPUI.”

Ashworth received interest from Niagara and Ball State, among others, following his release from Indiana State.

Moss is coming off a senior season in which he averaged 21.4 points, 7.3 assists and 2.9 steals per game at Franklin Community High School, while hitting 45 percent from the floor. He helped the Grizzly Cubs to a share of the Mid-State Conference title and was a two-time Daily Journal Johnson County Player of the Year. Like Ashworth, Moss was named Honorable Mention All-State by the IBCA and played with the Spiece Central squad during the summers. He too was chosen to The Star South Super Team.

“Adrian is a really dynamic point guard,” Hunter said. “He has great range of his jumper, but is fearless when he goes to the basket. With some work in the weight room, he’s going to be a great Division I player.

“The more we saw him play, the more we liked his game. He’s got a ton of heart and plays with a passion that you can’t teach.”

Moss chose IUPUI had received interest from Southern Illinois and Robert Morris, among other suitors.

Siakam played this past season at Harmony Community School in Cincinnati, averaging 16.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. Despite playing just one year at Harmony, Scout.com lists him as a ‘three star’ prospect, based largely on his summer play with the Queen City Prophets AAU team. In 2005, he was the second leading scorer at the Nike Hoops Jamboree in Saint Louis, averaging 16.9 points per game. Academically, he was an honor roll student at Harmony every quarter.

“Christian’s upside is enormous,” Hunter said. “He’s an exceptional athlete at 6-foot-7 and has played against some really good competition. He’s a work horse in the paint, especially off the offensive glass. He’ll immediately make us a tougher team on the interior, because he plays with a nasty streak.

“We’re excited to see Christian grow as a person and as a basketball player in our system.”

Siakam had numerous offers including Morehead State, Eastern Kentucky and Chicago State. He drew interest from numerous schools throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

The trio joins previous signee LeRoy Nobles, who played this past season at Harmony Prep School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nobles helped Harmony Prep to a Prep School National Championship, while averaging 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

Prior to Siakam’s commitment, the Jaguars’ recruiting class was ranked 93rd nationally by Clark Francis’ The Hoop Scoop.