INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI Athletics Department and head basketball coach
Matt Crenshaw announced the signings of four newcomers for next season on Thursday (Nov. 11). Crenshaw inked a pair of junior college guards in 6-foot-6
Cooper Dewitt (Pasco, Wash./North Idaho College) and 6-foot-3
Daylan Hamilton (Houston, Texas/Triton College). Crenshaw also signed a pair of in-state guards in local twins 6-foot-5
Ahmad Jarrard (Indianapolis, Ind./Mt. Vernon) and 6-foot-3
Armon Jarrard (Indianapolis, Ind./Mt. Vernon).
"We're excited about all four of these young men," Crenshaw said. "They're tough, they're versatile and they're all going to fit in well with what we're trying to do. They're all really excited to be part of what we're building and are going to bring a new excitement to the program. As a staff, we're really excited about what's to come with these guys playing a vital role in our success."
Cooper Dewitt // 6-foot-6 // G // Pasco, Wash. // Chiawana H.S. // North Idaho College
-Earned Mid-Columbia Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Chiawana (Wash.) High School
-Also collected All-State honors after averaging 14 points and 6 assists per game
-Averaged 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game as a freshman at North Idaho College last season while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 41.2 percent from three
"Cooper is a really tough kid who's going to bring the ability to score from all three levels and can really knock down open shots. He plays really hard at both ends of the floor and leads by example," Crenshaw said. "And, he's intriguing in that he has great court vision and playmaking skills and is a legitimate 6-foot-6."
Daylan Hamilton // 6-foot-3 // G // Houston, Texas // Klein Forest H.S. // Triton College
-Played the 2020-2021 season at Western Michigan where he averaged 3.0 points and 0.9 rebounds per game in 15 appearances off the bench
-Tallied a season-high eight points against Akron on Jan. 23
-Averaged 26 points per game as a senior at Klein Forest, earning Texas Association of Basketball Coaches' Class 6A First Team All-State honors
-Named the District 15-6A Most Valuable Player and All-Region honoree
-Had 12 points, seven assists and four steals in Triton's season opener this season against College of Lake County
"Daylan brings us multiple level scoring and is an elite defender. He plays the passing lanes and does a good job of just getting in a stance and locking down his guy," Crenshaw said. "He's an incredible athlete with great vision and a great feel for the game."
Amhad Jarrard // 6-foot-5 // G // Indianapolis, Ind./Mt. Vernon H.S.
-2021 Hancock County Player of the Year and two-time Hoosier Heritage Conference honoree
-Honorable mention underclass All-State selection
-Averaged 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 55 percent as a junior, helping Mt. Vernon to a 17-7 mark and a sectional crown
-Averaged 10.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game as a sophomore
"Amhad is off the charts athletically. He's flat out explosive. He brings toughness and playmaking ability and a certain swagger with him," Crenshaw said. "He's a tough, hard-nosed defender and being an Indiana kid, he's the kind of homegrown kid that we're looking to bring into the program."
Armon Jarrard // 6-foot-3 // G // Indianapolis, Ind./Mt. Vernon H.S.
-Named First Team All-Hancock County this past season and underclass All-State
-Averaged 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a junior while shooting 42 percent from three-point range
-Helped Mt. Vernon to a 17-7 record last season and a sectional title
"Armon is a knockdown shooter who plays with an edge and a toughness to his game. He's got a smooth stroke, but isn't just a shooter because he's a playmaker from either guard spot," Crenshaw said. "He's another example of a homegrown, Indy kid that we want to build our program around."
