Dan Monson has announced the signing of four new players who will make up Long Beach State’s 2008-09 recruiting class.   Monson received National Letters of Intent from a pair of high school players and two junior college players.  Both high school players were members of the Press Telegram’s Best of the West teams and both junior college players earned all-league honors following their freshmen seasons of college.  

The biggest thing to note is how…well, how big they all are.  Monson has made a commitment early and often in his recruiting to bring in big guys—a couple forwards with some good paint-weight like Chang and Richardson will be a huge boost for this team.

Lin Chang, F, 6-9, 235, So., Beijing, China (Carson Graham HS (Canada)/MiraCosta College)

Named first-team All-Pacific Coast Conference as a freshman  … Averaged 13.6 points and 8.0 rebounds while making 51.6 percent of his field goal attempts … In conference games, averaged 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds, while making 56.3 percent of field goal attempts … Scored 20 or more points five times including a career-high 31 points (on 10-of-14 shooting) against Miramar … Scored in double figures in 14 separate games … Grabbed double-digit rebounds nine times, including a career-high 14 against Los Angeles Trade Tech, 13 vs. Moorpark 12 against San Diego Mesa and Imperial Valley, 11 against Miramar and 10 against Cerritos, Porterville, San Diego Mesa and Southwestern … Junior college coach was Patrick Conahan … Attended high school in China and Canada  … High school coach was Mike Morgan.

Jules Montgomery, F, 6-10, 195, Fr., West Hills, Calif. (Chaminade Prep)

Named honorable mention Best in the West by the Press Telegram … A second-team All-Mission League selection as a junior … Averaged 8.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game during junior season, while also making 39 percent of his shots … Had four double-doubles as a junior with 11 points and 16 rebounds against Verbum Dei, 17 points and 16 rebounds against St. Francis, 11 points and 12 rebounds against St. Francis and 14 points and 16 rebounds against Alemany … Scored in double digits nine times including a career-high 24 points against University … Grabbed double digit rebounds seven times with a career-high 16 boards three times including back-to-back games against Verbum Dei and St. Francis … Blocked 46 shots during the season, including a career-high seven against Loyola and four against Verbum Dei and St. Francis twice … High school coach is Todd Wolfson.  

Kyle Richardson, F, 6-7, 220, Fr., Lakewood, Calif. (Mayfair High School)

Named third-team Best in the West by the Press Telegram … As a junior averaged 6.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while making 54 percent of field goal attempts … Started 13 games at Mayfair … Scored in double figures five times … Had a season-high 14 points vs. Artesia … Grabbed a season-best 10 rebounds vs. Norwalk … Blocked a season-high seven shots vs. Cerritos … Helped team to a 24-5 record and a league championship … High school coach is Tony Davis.

Tristan Wilson, G, 6-5, 205, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz. (Apollo High School/Yuba College)

A first-team All-Bay Valley Conference selection as a freshman after averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game … Converted on 44 percent (218-of-496) of shots, 28.3 percent (86-of-126) of 3-pointers and 68.3 percent (74-of-115) of free throws … In conference games, averaged 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals, while making 45.3 percent (81-of-179) of field goals, 24.0 percent (12-of-50) of 3-pointers and 69.1 percent (33-of-46) 0f free throws … Scored in double figures in 28 of team’s 30 games, including a season-high 31 points against Fullerton … Scored 20-plus points 14 times … Grabbed double-digit rebounds five times, including a season-high 13 against Los Medanos, 12 vs. American River, 11 against Napa Valley and 10 against Alameda and Mendocino … Dished out a season-best five assist against Medocino, while grabbing a season-best three steals twice … Junior college coach was Doug Cornelius … Attended high school at Apollo High School in Phoenix, Ariz., … Named 4A Player of the Year two years in a row while leading team to back-to-back state titles … High school coach was Mark Nold. 

From LBSU reports