Highly-touted Junior College Player Signs With Ritchie McKay
April 25, 2000
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Phillip Ricci (pronounced Richie) of San Joaquin Delta Junior College in Stockton, Cal., has signed a national letter of intent to play men's basketball at Oregon State University, Beaver Head Coach Ritchie McKay announced Tuesday.
The 6'8" 225-pound forward averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds as a sophomore for the Mustangs. He earned California Junior College Co-Player of the Year honors after leading Delta to an undefeated Bay Conference record and a 30-5 regular season mark. He helped the team advance to the junior college "elite eight" in California. He also was named the Northern California Junior College Player of the Year.
"Ricci is the best big man I've seen in Northern California in at least 10 years," Sacramento City College coach Andrew Jones said. "He's so strong and versatile. You think you can slow him down, but he destroys you. He'll be great at the Division I level."
"This is a great day for Oregon State University basketball," McKay said. "Not only is his ability on the floor at a high level, but his character is as well."
Ricci came to Delta College from Galt, Cal., south of Sacramento. He was the Sacramento Bee and Stockton Record Newspapers Prep Player of the Year at the conclusion of the 1998 season. His senior year at Galt High School he averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds. He was a two-year varsity letterman at Galt and was an honorable mention all-state selection at the conclusion of his senior season.
"I liked all the places I visited, but I felt really welcome at Oregon State," Ricci said. "I bonded with Coach McKay and the team while I was in Corvallis, and I thought the whole atmosphere was right for me."
"He will make an immediate impact in this program," McKay added. "I love his versatility, he can score around the basket, shoot the three, and is a strong rebounder. He is also tough, unselfish, and humble, a rare combination for an athlete of his caliber.
Ricci averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds as a freshman at San Joaquin Delta. He was the Bay Conference's Player of the Year both seasons.
"I feel my top attributes are my ability to shoot the ball and my strength," Ricci said. "I also love to dunk."
"He is the best player I have ever signed in my coaching career," McKay said. Players McKay have signed in the past include former University of Washington standouts Todd MacCulloch and Mark Sanford, and Bradley University's all-star Anthony Parker.
Ricci joins forward/center prospects Derek Potter of North Vancouver, B.C. and Chris Manker of Laguna Beach, Cal., as the Beavers' signees to date. Oregon State has two scholarships remaining, but McKay does not expect to utilize both scholarships prior to the end of the signing period May 15.
