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May 6, 2008

Los Angeles, CA - Larry Davis, a sophomore at Seton Hall University and a native of Middle Village, N.Y., and LaRon Armstead, a senior from Fremont High School have become the first players to commit to the Lions under new Head Coach Bill Bayno. Davis, who averaged over six points in two seasons with the Pirates, will transfer to LMU and will redshirt the 2008-09 season due to NCAA transfer rules while Armstead has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Lions this fall.

Davis, a 6-4 guard, averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while playing in 61 games at Seton Hall over two seasons. Armstead became an All-City selection in Los Angeles, averaging 19.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

"Both Larry and LaRon have what I call high-major potential," said Bayno. "The commitment of these two players sends a message that we are going after top talent and we are going to compete for a West Coast Conference championship and an NCAA tournament appearance."

As a sophomore, Davis played in all 32 games, making 13 starts with averages of 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. His sophomore season included a 14-point, six-rebound performance in the opener against Monmouth, tying his career-high with 35 minutes played. In his first season of collegiate basketball, he played in all 29 games while starting nine. He averaged 7.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, hitting a team second-best 78.9 percent from the free throw line (45-for-57).

"To get a Big East, ACC caliber player is a huge boost for our program. He is a fantastic kid from a great family and a great high school program. His commitment to come to LMU is a statement about what we want to do as a program," said Bayno. "When he steps onto the floor after his redshirt season, he will be as good of a wing player there is in the conference and he is only going to get better."

Davis went to Seton Hall out of Christ the King High School, leading them to a 24-5 record and the New York City Catholic High School title game. While there, he averaged 13.2 points per game his senior year and became an All-City selection. He was named to the Jordan Classic Regional Game. As a junior, he averaged 13.9 points and helped Christ the King to a 24-3 record. Coming out of high school, he was ranked as the No. 83 prospect in the 2006 class by USA Today and No. 92 by the Rivals Network.

Armstead led Fremont to a 21-8 overall mark and an 11-1 record to win the Coliseum League championship this past February. In the league's title game against Dorsey High School, Armstead went for 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He went on to earn first-team All-City honors, helping the Pathfinders to the City Section semifinals.

"You look at the NBA, there are many cases of players who have fallen through the cracks - Bruce Bowen, John Stockton. LaRon fell through the cracks. He is the type of player who has high-major potential and has all the skills needed to become a top player - he can shoot the three, handle the ball and plays hard," said Bayno. "He plays with a big heart and has legitimate toughness that can win games for you down the stretch."

During his senior season, leading the team in scoring, he hit the 30-point mark twice. He scored 30 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Manual Arts High School and then went for 30 points and eight rebounds in a win over Locke High School. Showing he fits the LMU mission, Armstead was active as a math tutor at Fremont while also serving as an active volunteer with the Salvation Army.

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