ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Head Coach Pat Fuscaldo and Associate Head Coach Rich Shayewitz announced on Tuesday that the Sonoma State University men's basketball program has signed four current high school seniors to National Letters of Intent.  Isaiah Brown (Richmond, Calif./Richmond HS), Michael Avery (Encino, Calif./Crespi Carmelite HS), Nathan Molony-Benjamin (Sebastopol, Calif./Analy HS) and Andy Luttringer (Santa Rosa, Calif./Maria Carrillo HS) will extend their basketball-playing careers with the Seawolves in 2012-13.

“This might be one of the best recruiting classes that we've had in a long time and Coach Shayewitz deserves a lot of the credit for making it happen,” said Fuscaldo.  “The main thing about this recruiting class is that these kids came in here and wanted to be a part of our team.  They are a great group and they've worked hard to make it to this level.”

Isaiah Brown is coming off an outstanding senior year at Richmond High School, in which the 6-foot guard earned Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League MVP honors.  He averaged 27.2 points per game for the Oilers, who went just 1-26 this past winter.  Isaiah was a two-sport standout at RHS, as he also excelled on the football field where the Contra Costa Times called him a “do-everything player” on the gridiron.

“Isaiah is one of those most prolific scorers that I've seen in a long time,” Fuscaldo said.  “He's amazing; he can get to the basket, he can shoot the three, he's an excellent free throw shooter, he's a really good addition for us offensively.  He is going to be an exceptional player for us in the future.”

Michael Avery will come to Sonoma State after prepping at Crespi Carmelite High School.  The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 10.4 points and corralled 5.3 rebounds per game as a senior, and was an All-Area Honorable Mention selection.  Michael helped lead the Celts to a 24-8 record and an appearance in the CIF California State Boys Basketball Championship Tournament during his senior campaign.

“Michael is one of those players like (former SSU stars) J.T. Tipton and Vince Inglima that come around once every 8-10 years,” Fuscaldo explained.  “He can run, he can jump, he can shoot, he can defend, he can dribble, he can score and he can shoot the three.  He's going to squeeze in nice between Will (Olsem), Patrick (Scott) and Justin (Herold), which will make us very athletic.”

Nathan Molony-Benjamin is from nearby Sebastopol and was a First Team All-Sonoma County League selection as a senior at Analy High School in 2011-12.  The 6-foot-8 forward/center helped the Tigers to an SCL championship, averaging 9.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this past season.

“We are extremely excited about Nathan because he is the first 6-foot-8 freshman that might be ready to play as soon as he gets here,” said Fuscaldo.  “He's an incredible shot blocker, he can score, he is athletic, he has a nice go-to move in the post, he's young and if he comes in and develops, we might see him (on the court) sooner rather than later.”

Andy Luttringer also comes to Sonoma State from nearby Santa Rosa after prepping at Maria Carrillo HS.  The 6-foot-5 forward was the Pumas' third-leading scorer in 2011-12, netting 215 points in addition to corralling 133 rebounds for MCHS, which finished third in the North Bay League at 10-4 in conference play (21-8 overall).

"We're excited to have Andy join our program, not only because he's local, but because he's a great kid," Fuscaldo said.  "He has some great movement around the basket and he's an excellent rebounder."

Stay tuned to sonomaseawolves.com as several more men's basketball signees are expected to be announced throughout the summer.

In 2011-12, Sonoma State enjoyed its best season in seven years, finishing with a 17-11 overall mark and came in fourth place in the CCAA standings at 14-8.  The Seawolves hosted their first-ever conference playoff game on Feb. 28 and defeated Cal State San Bernardino, 61-60, to move onto the semifinal round in La Jolla.  However, SSU suffered a heart-breaking 76-74 loss to Chico State at the buzzer three days later, ending its bid for a CCAA title and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.