RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball head coach Jeff Neubauer has announced that high school senior Willie Cruz and collegiate sophomore Spencer Perrin have signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the Colonels in 2009-10.

Cruz is a 6-4 guard from L’Anse Creuse High School, which is just outside of Detroit, Mich. As a junior, Cruz averaged 20.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on his way to earning all-conference, second team all-area, and honorable mention all-state honors. He shot 41.6 percent from the floor last year and also chipped in with 3.2 assists per game. Cruz’s career high is 33 points and he knocked down a career-best six three-pointers in a game.

“Willie Cruz showed us throughout the summer that he is a competitor,” Neubauer said. “He shot the ball well, rebounded well and played like an unselfish guard. His toughness throughout the summer recruiting period is really what attracted us to him.”

Perrin hails from Danville, Ky., where he played high school basketball for Boyle County as a senior. He led the Rebels with 21 points and 11 rebounds per game in 2006-07 and helped Boyle County reach the 12th Region championship game. The 6-5 small forward is currently in his second year at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill. Last season, Perrin led his squad with 6.5 rebounds per game while netting 12.2 points per game.

“It’s great for us to add a local product to our program,” Neubauer said. “Spencer Perrin has had a very productive career at Lake Land College. His eagerness to become a Colonel was a huge part of why we were impressed with him. We expect him to have a great year this year at Lake Land and a super career as a Colonel as well.”

Eastern Kentucky (0-1) opens its home schedule Tuesday night, Nov. 18, against Winston-Salem State. Game time is set for 7 p.m.