Aug. 24, 2009

Logan, Utah - Utah State men's basketball coach Stew Morrill announced Monday that Anthony DiLoreto has enrolled at USU for the 2009 fall semester and will compete for the Aggies beginning this year as a freshman.

DiLoreto (pronounced De-low-ret-o), a 7-1, 230-pound center from Minnetonka, Minn., averaged 8.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a prep senior at Hopkins High School as he helped lead the Royals to a 27-2 record. During his senior year, he scored in double-figures nine times and had a season-high 16 points versus Edina High School. Hopkins won the Class AAAA (biggest schools) title during DiLoreto's freshman (2005) and sophomore (2006) seasons, and went 26-2 during his junior year (2007) under head coach Ken Novak.

"Anthony comes from an unbelievable high school program," said Morrill. "I have known Ken Novak for many years and it is widely known that he has one of the best high school basketball programs in the country. Ken's recommendation of Anthony as a player and a person was very important in our decision to pursue him."

DiLoreto recently entered a plea of no contest to a year-old robbery charge. With no same or similar offenses, the plea will be vacated and the charges dismissed in one year.

"Anthony's situation is well-known," added Morrill. "He made a mistake. He is anxious to move forward in his life and prove himself on and off the court."

Former Aggie assistant and current Santa Clara assistant coach James Ware also recommended DiLoreto to Morrill. Ware had coached DiLoreto as a youngster and has known Anthony and his family for a long time.

"Anthony had no prior history of negative actions," Morrill continued, "and he comes from a wonderful family that is very supportive. He deserves this opportunity and I am grateful to our administration for the trust they have in allowing us to recruit Anthony to Utah State.

"Anthony has the potential to become a dominant WAC big man," Morrill said. "He has wonderful skill to go along with his God-given size and also has excellent hands. With a solid work ethic and attitude he could join a long list of great Aggie big men by the end of his career."