Men's Basketball signs Craig Taylor and Derek Bell to National Letters of Intent

June 7, 2001

Long Island University fourth-year men's basketball coach Ray Martin has annonced the signings of Craig Taylor and Derek Bell to National Letters of Intent to attend the downtown Brooklyn campus this fall.

Taylor, a 6-8 inside-outside threat, transfers from Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY where he played two seasons. As a sophomore in 2000-01 he averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 62 percent from the field in helping his team to a Region 15 championship. For his efforts, the Bronx, NY native was an all-tournament and all-Mid-Hudson Conference selection.

Taylor becomes the first Westchester CC player to transfer to LIU since Mike Campbell in 1996-97. An All-American, Campbell was a 1,000-point scorer and helped the Blackbirds to consecutive postseason appearances.

Bell arrives as a freshman after attending Milford (CT) Academy for two years. A 6-7 baseline player, he averaged 14.4 points and 9.5 rebounds in leading his squad to a 21-3 mark and to the New England Prep School championship game in 2000-01. In his first year at Milford, he averaged 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and shot 62 percent from the floor as his squad finished 19-4.

"With the loss of our three top rebounders from last season, the additions of Craig and Derek answer a major area of concern for our basketball team," said Martin. "They are both outstanding all-around young men and they possess the ability to contribute to our team. I look forward to having them in our program."

The Blackbirds (12-16, 11-7 NEC) qualified as the fourth seed in last season's Northeast Conference Tournament and return three starters from a season ago.