Vincent Grier and J'son Stamper sign LOI

The Minnesota men’s basketball program signed Vincent Grier and J'son Stamper to national letters of intent today. The two junior college transfers will be eligible to begin play for the Golden Gophers for the 2004-05 season.

Vincent Grier, a 6-5 guard from Dixie State Junior College in Utah, averaged 17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game this season for Dixie. Grier was named to the Region 18 All-Region team, was an All-Scenic Western Athletic Conference selection and earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

Grier began his collegiate career at UNC-Charlotte where he averaged 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds his freshman year. Coming out of high school, Grier was ranked as one of the top-100 high school seniors in the nation by multiple recruiting services. Before this season, he was recognized as a second-team Street & Smith's Super Sophomore, the top-ranked JC wing guard by Lindy's, and the second-ranked JC shooting guard by The Sporting News.

"Vincent Grier has the athletic abililty and skills that will allow him to play multiple positions and will give our team versatility next season," said head coach Dan Monson. "He's a defensive stopper and an athletic slasher on the offensive end."

J'son Stamper, a 6-6 forward from Independence (Kan.) Community College, averaged 13.7 points, shot .522 from the field, and was the fourth-leading junior college rebounder in the country with 11.5 rebounds per game last season. Stamper, a native of the Bronx, N.Y., was the first team all-conference, co-MVP of the Jayhawk East Conference and was named first-team All-Region VI. In addition, Stamper earned all-tournament honors at the NJCAA Region VI tournament. For his career at ICC, Stamper averaged 13.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game and was the ninth all-time ICC rebound leader with 672 boards and the 19th all-time leading scorer with 862 career points.

"J'son Stamper does all the intangible things to make a team better," said Monson. "He provides toughness and intensity every time he steps on a basketball floor. His physical presence fills a need for this basketball team."

Both players will have junior eligibility in the fall.